Nationwide warrant out for Sabah Al-Talaqani in Ottawa County rape case

[Watch in the player above: How to report a tip to U.S. Marshals]

PORT CLINTON , Ohio (WJW) — Ohio authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of an alleged rapist who skipped his trial in Ottawa County last week.

A nationwide arrest warrant is now out for Sabah Jabir Al-Talaqani, 27, of Detroit, who reportedly went missing days before he was set to stand trial on charges of rape, kidnapping and felonious assault filed last year.

Al-Talaqani is accused of raping a woman on July 21, 2023, in Put-in-Bay, according to court filings. He allegedly put a knife to the woman’s throat and left cuts on her throat, arm and chest, according to a criminal complaint filed in the county municipal court.

He had his first court appearance in that lower court later that month.

After his indictment the following August, a county judge ordered Al-Talaqani to be held on a $500,000 bond. He posted that bond on Sept. 18, 2023, and has remained free since, court filings show.

Al-Talaqani was due for trial on Sept. 24, 2024, but went missing days prior, according to court filings. He was under electronic monitoring, but a probation officer attested he tampered with the device on Sept. 20, and authorities lost track of him.

A separate indictment handed up Sept. 25 charged Al-Talaqani with felony counts of tampering with evidence and failing to appear for court.

Al-Talaqani’s last known residence was in Detroit, Michigan, according to county prosecutors . He is known to have connections in Ohio, Michigan, Washington, Florida and Georgia.

Anyone with information on Al-Talaqani’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office at 419-734-4404, or the prosecutor’s office at 419-734-6845 or via email to prosecutor@co.ottawa.oh.us . Tipsters may remain anonymous.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.