Philippines arrest brings Kootenai County rape suspect back to jail

Michael T. Moore, 62, is back in Kootenai County Jail after authorities arrested him in the Philippines and brought him home to face long-pending rape and drug charges tied to a 2017 case near Coeur d’Alene.

Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office investigators said the case began when deputies responded to reports of multiple sexual assaults in unincorporated Kootenai County. According to the sheriff’s office, the victims had answered social media advertisements for work opportunities at Moore’s property. They later alleged that they were drugged and sexually assaulted there.

Detectives continued gathering evidence while awaiting forensic testing, and authorities said Moore left for the Philippines before charges were filed. After investigators built enough evidence, they secured warrants for two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, two counts of rape and battery with intent to commit a serious felony.

The United States Marshals Service helped track Moore and coordinated with the Philippine government to locate and arrest him. After his arrest overseas, Moore was deported to the United States, taken into custody by the marshals and transported back to Kootenai County. Jail records show he was booked on May 10, 2026.

The sheriff’s office said the case is listed under report number 17-22938. Its release, posted May 13 and attributed to Sheriff Robert B. Norris and Lt. Mark Ellis, frames the arrest as the end of an international search in a case that has stretched nearly nine years and now returns to the local court system for prosecution.