‘Vampire Rapist’ Sent Back to Jail After 1 Day for Violating Probation

Just a day after his release from prison, the man known as the “Vampire Rapist” was back in jail Friday, accused of violating probation by using marijuana.

John Crutchley, 49, had been sent to a halfway house Thursday after finishing 10 years of his 25-year sentence for raping and kidnapping a hitchhiker in 1985.

“I’m very pleased about it,” said the sister of Crutchley’s victim, who almost died when Crutchley drained nearly half of her blood and drank it over a 22-hour period.

The 19-year-old woman escaped by crawling out through Crutchley’s bathroom window when he left her alone, handcuffed, in his bathtub.

Crutchley had been released Thursday to a halfway house in Orlando to begin a 50-year probation. He tested positive for marijuana use the same day and admitted using the drug, according to an arrest warrant.

“This has definitely made my day,” said Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary, who was furious when Crutchley was put in his jurisdiction.

His deputies took Crutchley into custody early Friday afternoon.

The Department of Corrections supervisor at the halfway house recommended that Crutchley be “incarcerated for the maximum period of time allowable.”

Circuit Judge Edward Richardson said that if he finds Crutchley guilty of violating the terms of his probation, the sentence would be for the original crimes, not the marijuana possession and use.

Officials said the probation violation on the kidnapping and sexual-battery charges might result in life in prison. Richardson said he expects to have a hearing on the matter in about a month.

Crutchley was sent to Orlando after communities in West Virginia, where his mother lives, and Brevard County, Fla., where he lived when he was convicted, refused to take him.