ARLINGTON (WBAP/KLIF)- Tarrant County Prosecutor Tracy Kapsidelis said 21-year-old Joel Mambe kidnapped a woman in her apartment parking garage at gun point and forced her to drive him to an ATM to withdraw money before he raped her. “He is charged with possession of a controlled substance, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery and aggravated sexual assault,” Kapsidelis said.
Kapsidelis commends the woman for her bravery. She said Mambe took her phone and a picture of her drivers license and threatened to kill her and her parents if she reported the incident,” she said. Arlington Police arrested Mambe less than 24 hours after the incident on June 21st.
Police say when Mambe was arrested, he was in possession of a gun and items of the victim’s property. During interviews with police, he admitted he was “looking for trouble” that night, when he happened upon the victim. He used the money stolen from the victim to buy drugs, a video game, and cigarettes.
Mambe entered a guilty plea to Judge George Gallagher on all three charges, and a Pre-Sentencing Report was ordered.
“Anyone who crossed paths with this defendant was in danger that night,” said Kapsidelis. “ The random and opportunistic nature of these crimes make them all the more terrifying, and the quick work by Arlington Police Department to bring him to justice is to be commended. The strength shown by this young woman that day and every day since is beyond admirable.”
After hearing testimony, Judge Gallagher sentenced Mambe to a total of 60 years in prison for the Aggravated Sexual Assault, Robbery and Kidnapping charges, and 2 years in state jail for a drug possession case that was pending at the time he committed this crime. Mambe will be required to serve 30 years before he will be eligible for parole consideration.
