Offender Record · OFF-2026-053
James Michael DeBardeleben (photo from the Radford University biography)
James Michael DeBardeleben Jr.
Also known as Mike DeBardeleben, The Mall Passer, James Mitchell DeBardeleben II
Sex
Male
Race
White
Height
6'0"
Born
1940
Custody
Deceased
States
IN, VA, TX, KS, AR, DE, CA, PA, NC
Distinguishing featuresIrregularity at bridge of nose from childhood surgery
Custody
Deceased at FMC Butner
Custody record at the facility
Died January 26, 2011 of pneumonia at Federal Medical Center Butner, Durham County, North Carolina, after serving 28 years of his 375-year sentence.
This record documents arrests, charges and convictions reported by courts, law enforcement agencies and news organizations. Every statement is tied to a cited source with an archived copy. A charge is an accusation, not proof of guilt; a person charged is presumed innocent unless convicted. Solve the Case does not allege that this person committed any offense beyond what the cited records state, and this record is not a suggestion that the person is connected to any unsolved case. How records are built, corrected and removed.
Summary of the record
James Michael DeBardeleben Jr. was convicted of interstate kidnapping, sexual assault, and sodomy involving multiple female victims across Delaware, Maryland, and other states from 1978 to 1980. He was arrested May 25, 1983, by the U.S. Secret Service during a counterfeiting investigation and convicted in January 1988, receiving a total sentence of 375 years in federal prison. DeBardeleben was also indicted for the murders of realtor Jean McPhaul in Louisiana in 1982 and realtor Edna Terry McDonald in Rhode Island in 1971, but was never tried for these murders. He died of pneumonia in prison on January 26, 2011.
Documented Arrests, Charges and Convictions
Dispositions are shown exactly as the cited records report them. Pending charges are updated when a court acts; a record with no remaining conviction or pending charge is removed from the site.
Offense date Apr 1971, Barrington, Rhode Island
Murder of Edna Terry McDonald
Rhode Island State Court · State of Rhode Island District Court · Rhode Island First Degree Murder · Arrested May 25, 1983 · Charged (pending) Charged (pending) · Sentence: Indicted; never tried
Realtor Edna Terry McDonald strangled in April 1971 in Barrington, Rhode Island. Victim lured to property viewing. Indicted October 26, 1983; never tried due to 375-year federal sentence.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: DeBardeleben, James Michael; The DeBardeleben Case
Offense date Sep 04, 1978, Delaware
Kidnapping
United States District Court, District of Maryland · U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland · Docket CR-84-00043-B · 18 U.S.C. § 1201(a) · Arrested May 25, 1983 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Included in 375-year total sentence
Abducted 19-year-old nursing student (Lucy Alexander) on September 4, 1978, posing as police officer. Raped, sodomized, forced to perform fellatio 4-5 times over 18 hours. Victim forced to call offender 'Daddy.' Released in Hardscrabble area east of Georgetown, Delaware on September 5, 1978.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: DeBardeleben, James Michael
Offense date Feb 04, 1979, North Carolina
Sexual assault and sodomy
United States District Court, District of Maryland · U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland · Docket CR-84-00043-B · 18 U.S.C. · Arrested May 25, 1983 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Included in 375-year total sentence
On February 4, 1979, abducted 31-year-old Elizabeth Mason in Fayetteville, North Carolina while posing as prospective home buyer ('Al Wise'). Assaulted with automatic handgun, tied, gagged, strangled unconscious. Victim's car stolen.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: DeBardeleben, James Michael; The DeBardeleben Case
Offense date Jun 01, 1979, Maryland, Delaware
Interstate kidnapping involving sexual abuse
United States District Court, District of Maryland · U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland · Docket CR-84-00043-B · 18 U.S.C. § 1201(a) · Arrested May 25, 1983 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 180 years consecutive to prior 135-year sentence, totaling 315 years for this and prior offenses
Abducted a 20-year-old woman (Laurie Jensen) from Delaware-Maryland seashore by posing as a police officer on June 1, 1979. Victim was raped, sodomized, forced to perform fellatio repeatedly, audio and videotaped, and held in a closet. Victim released in Maryland.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: DeBardeleben, James Michael; The DeBardeleben Case
Offense date Nov 01, 1980, Unknown location
Kidnapping and sexual assault
Federal court · U.S. District Court · 18 U.S.C. § 1201 · Arrested May 25, 1983 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Included in 375-year total sentence
Attempted abduction of Dianne Overton, 25, on November 1, 1980. Offender posed as police officer and pulled over victim, but victim successfully fought to escape.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: DeBardeleben, James Michael
Offense date Nov 12, 1980, New Jersey
Armed robbery
Federal court · U.S. District Court · Arrested May 25, 1983 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Included in 375-year total sentence
On November 12, 1980, robbed clothing store in New Jersey; tied up Maria Santini, 27; dressed victim in skirt and heels, fondled and took photographs, but released after offender failed to maintain arousal.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: DeBardeleben, James Michael; The DeBardeleben Case
Offense date Apr 27, 1982, Bossier City, Louisiana
Murder of Jean McPhaul
Bossier City, Louisiana State District Court · Bossier-Webster Parish District Court · Louisiana First Degree Murder · Arrested May 25, 1983 · Charged (pending) Charged (pending) · Sentence: Death penalty sought; never tried as 375-year federal sentence precluded trial
Realtor Jean McPhaul, 40, found stabbed and hanged from rafter in attic of vacant house she was showing on April 28, 1982 in Bossier City, Louisiana. Victim had two puncture wounds to heart. Offender posed as prospective home buyer 'Dr. Zack.' Indicted June 1984; never tried due to 375-year federal sentence.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: DeBardeleben, James Michael; Debardeleben indicted in McPhaul case; Emma Jean Clark McPhaul; The DeBardeleben Case
Offense date Apr 13, 1983, Greece, New York
Murder of Joe Rapini
Greece, New York · State of New York District Court · New York Murder · Arrested May 25, 1983 · Charged (pending) Charged (pending) · Sentence: Prime suspect; never formally charged
Joe Rapini, 42, and roommate David Starr abducted at gunpoint from home in Greece, New York on April 13, 1983. Offender held Rapini for ransom, demanded $70,000 from Starr (bank manager). Rapini shot to death in his car despite ransom payment. DeBardeleben was prime suspect but never formally charged.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: DeBardeleben, James Michael
Pattern and Background
Victim counts and the pattern of the offenses as stated by courts, agencies and the cited reporting. Suspected counts are what officials have said publicly, not a finding of this site.
6
Victims convicted
0
Victims confessed
8
Victims suspected
Active years
1978–1983
Stated motive
Sexual, Power or control
Range from home
interstate
Accomplice
Yes
Education
some high school
Marital history
Married, Divorced
Children
3
Military discharge
other than honorable
Died
2011-01-26 · natural
Places Lived, Worked and Frequented
Each place and date range comes from a cited record. Dates marked approximate are as reported. Know a place that is missing? Use Edit record under the photo; a moderator reviews it before it appears.
AR
Little Rock, Arkansas
approx. Mar 1940 – 1945
CA
Lompoc, California
approx. Jan 1991 – 1994 · Transferred multiple times based on complaints
DE
Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
approx. 1949 – 1950 · Family moved frequently during father's military service
IN
Terre Haute, Indiana
approx. 1994 – 2000 · United States Penitentiary at Terre Haute
KS
Leavenworth, Kansas
approx. Jan 1988 – 1990 · United States Penitentiary at Leavenworth following 1988 conviction
NC
Butner, North Carolina
approx. 2000 – Jan 26, 2011 · Federal Medical Center Butner; died there of pneumonia
PA
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
approx. 1990 – Jan 1991 · Transferred due to safety concerns; sought protective custody
TX
Austin, Texas
approx. 1945 – 1949
Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
Jun 26, 1957 – Aug 1958 · U.S. Air Force · air force
Fort Worth, Texas
approx. Aug 1958 – Jan 1959 · Moved with family after Air Force discharge
Fort Worth, Texas
approx. 1959 – 1962 · Attended high school, later expelled
Huntsville, Texas
Sep 1962 – May 1963 · Texas State Prison at Huntsville for auto theft probation violation
Fort Worth, Texas
approx. May 1963 – Mar 1964 · Lived with parents after prison release
VA
Staunton, Virginia
approx. Mar 1964 – May 16, 1964 · Western State Hospital (psychiatric evaluation for 2 months)
Arlington, Virginia
approx. Jun 1978 – 1979 · Moved from Washington D.C. halfway house; took barbering job
Falls Church, Virginia
approx. 1979 – 1983 · Met and married Barbara Abbott in Falls Church summer 1979
Alexandria, Virginia
approx. 1979 – 1983 · Listed address at time of arrest
Known Vehicles
Vehicles and approximate dates of ownership or use, as reported in the cited records. A photo next to a vehicle is the vehicle itself as published.
1977 Unknown Ford Thunderbird – '77 Thunderbird
approx. Jul 1978 – Sep 1978
Believed to have been used in abduction of Lucy Alexander in September 1978
Timeline
Mar 20, 1940
James Michael DeBardeleben Jr. born in Little Rock, Arkansas.
1956
Following first arrest, arrested several times on charges of theft, sodomy, attempted murder, and kidnapping.
Sep 08, 1956
Arrested for felony concealed weapon possession at age 16; first felony arrest.
1957
Joined U.S. Air Force on June 26; shipped to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
Mar 1958
Court-martialed for improper uniform and disorderly behavior; sentenced to 2 months stockade and $155 pay forfeiture.
Jun 1958
Cited for unauthorized absence, breaking restrictions, and disrespectful behavior; ordered to visit Air Force psychiatrist.
Aug 1958
Discharged from Air Force under other than honorable conditions; moved to Fort Worth, Texas with family.
Oct 1959
Sentenced to 5 years probation for auto theft.
Oct 1959
Arrested for attempted robbery with accomplice; two weeks later arrested for string of auto thefts.
Sep 1962
Probation for auto theft revoked; sent to Texas State Prison at Huntsville.
May 1963
Released from Texas State Prison at Huntsville; returned to live with parents.
Mar 1964
Father filed complaint on DeBardeleben; sent to Western State Hospital in Staunton, Virginia.
May 16, 1964
Released from Western State Hospital; returned home.
1966
Charged with assault, sodomy, and kidnapping of young girl; charges later dropped.
Apr 1971
Suspected of murdering realtor Edna Terry McDonald in Barrington, Rhode Island; later indicted in 1983 but never tried.
1975
Pistol-whipped Phillipa Voliner.
1976
Caught for counterfeiting for the first time.
1976
Divorced from fourth wife Caryn.
May 05, 1978
Released from Federal Penitentiary in Danbury, Connecticut after serving 23 months of counterfeiting sentence to D.C. halfway house.
Jun 1978
Moved to Arlington, Virginia; took barbering job.
Jul 1978
Purchased 1977 Ford Thunderbird, believed to have been used in subsequent abduction.
Sep 04, 1978
Abducted 19-year-old nursing student Lucy Alexander near Ocean City, Delaware, posing as police officer; repeatedly raped and sodomized her over 18 hours.
Sep 05, 1978
Released Lucy Alexander in Hardscrabble area east of Georgetown, Delaware.
Feb 04, 1979
Abducted 31-year-old Elizabeth Mason in Fayetteville, North Carolina by posing as prospective home buyer; assaulted with automatic handgun, tied, gagged, and strangled unconscious; stole her car.
May 1979
Posed as 'Frank A. Turner' and bought house and counterfeiting press in Maryland.
Jun 01, 1979
Abducted 20-year-old Laurie Jensen from Delaware-Maryland seashore, posing as police officer; raped, sodomized, forced to perform fellatio multiple times, forced to call offender 'Daddy,' kept in closet, audio and videotaped.
Jun 03, 1979
Drove Laurie Jensen home to Maryland.
Jul 31, 1979
Used counterfeit money at Super Sam's Store in Florence, Kentucky.
Aug 01, 1979
Used counterfeit money at United Dairy Farmers Store.
Aug 21, 1979
Used counterfeit money at Cincinnati Burger Chef restaurant.
Oct 10, 1979
Assaulted Italian-American woman in New Jersey at clothing store.
Nov 13, 1979
Used counterfeit money at Empress Shop in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Dec 14, 1979
Used counterfeit money at United Pennsylvania Bank in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Mar 01, 1980
Multiple uses of counterfeit money across multiple states through October 1980.
Apr 12, 1980
Used counterfeit money at Blue Hen Mall in Dover, Delaware.
Apr 14, 1980
Used counterfeit money at JCPenneys in St. Louis.
Apr 22, 1980
Used counterfeit money in Charlotte and Greensboro, North Carolina.
Jun 11, 1980
Used counterfeit money in malls in Birmingham, Alabama.
Jun 13, 1980
Used counterfeit money in malls in Atlanta and Dallas.
Jun 16, 1980
Used counterfeit money in New Orleans and Shreveport, Louisiana.
Jun 18, 1980
Used counterfeit money in Dallas.
Jun 20, 1980
Used counterfeit money in Kansas City.
Jun 30, 1980
Used counterfeit money in Charlotte.
Jul 31, 1980
Used counterfeit money in Novi, Michigan.
Aug 1980
Used counterfeit money in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Niles, Illinois, and Louisville, Kentucky.
Nov 01, 1980
Posed as police officer and pulled over Dianne Overton, 25; she successfully fought to escape after being abducted.
Nov 12, 1980
Robbed clothing store in New Jersey; tied up Maria Santini, 27; dressed her in skirt and heels, fondled and took photographs; released after failure to maintain arousal.
Apr 27, 1982
Murdered realtor Jean McPhaul, 40, in Bossier City, Louisiana after restraining, strangling, and stabbing her; body found in attic of vacant house she was showing.
Apr 13, 1983
Broke into house and abducted two male housemates David Starr and Joe Rapini in Greece, New York; held Rapini for ransom and shot him to death.
May 25, 1983
Arrested by U.S. Secret Service in Knoxville, Tennessee for passing counterfeit bills at mall.
Oct 1983
Charged with 1st degree kidnapping in Trombley case.
Oct 26, 1983
Indicted for murder of Terry McDonald in Rhode Island.
Feb 29, 1984
In Nashville, Tennessee, sentenced for counterfeiting conviction.
Jun 1984
Indicted for first-degree murder of Jean McPhaul in Bossier City, Louisiana.
Jan 1988
Convicted of interstate kidnapping involving sexual abuse; sentenced to 180 years consecutive to prior 135-year sentence, totaling 375 years.
Jan 26, 2011
Died of pneumonia at FMC Butner, Durham County, North Carolina at age 70 after serving 28 years of his 375-year sentence.
Sources
Solve the Case is never the original source. Each item below is the public record a statement on this page rests on, with an archived copy where one exists.
Other · Find a Grave ·
Emma Jean Clark McPhaul“Real-estate agent from Bossier City who was found murdered in a house she had shown to a man later identified as James Mitchell DeBardeleben”
Other · Wikipedia ·
Mike DeBardeleben“James Mitchell DeBardeleben Jr. (March 20, 1940 – January 26, 2011) was an American convicted kidnapper, rapist, counterfeiter, and suspected serial killer”
Other · Murderpedia ·
James DeBardeleben“Tried and convicted in six separate cases for counterfeiting, kidnapping and assault. He received a total sentencing of 375 years.”
News report · True Crime Docket ·
The DeBardeleben Case“He was charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery, sodomy, armed robbery, and aggravated criminal sexual assault in Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut, Missouri, Virginia, and New Jersey. He was also indicted for the murders of Jean McPhaul in Louisiana and Edna Terry McDonald in Rhode Island, but was never tried for these murders.”
Law enforcement release · U.S. Secret Service ·
U.S. Secret Service“In 1983 when the Secret Service arrested James DeBardeleben for passing counterfeit, discovered evidence that he was involved in armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, sexual assaults and murder. He was sentenced to more than 315 years in prison.”
Other · Radford University Department of Psychology ·
Radford University serial killer biography: DeBardeleben, James Michael“James Michael DeBardeleben born March 20, 1940 in Little Rock, Arkansas; convicted January 1988; sentenced 375 years at Leavenworth Prison in Kansas”
Court record · U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ·
United States v. James M. DeBardeleben, 823 F.2d 549 (4th Cir. 1987)“James M. DeBardeleben appeals his conviction for kidnapping. The district court sentenced DeBardeleben to a term of imprisonment of 180 years, the sentence to run consecutively to previously imposed sentences of 135 years for unrelated federal offenses.”
Court record · Scribd ·
DeBardeleben's Kidnapping Appeal Affirmed“DeBardeleben was convicted of kidnapping and received a sentence of 180 years in prison, to run consecutively with two previous 135-year sentences for unrelated federal offenses.”
News report · The Washington Post ·
A Trail of Murder, Rape, Kidnaping“James Mitchell DeBardeleben left a trail from Louisiana to Connecticut with charges that he committed murder, rape, sodomy and kidnaping in seven states, including Maryland and Virginia.”
News report · United Press International ·
Debardeleben indicted in McPhaul case“James Debardeleben was indicted for the crime of first-degree murder of Jean McPhaul; Ms. McPhaul, 40, was found stabbed and hanged from a rafter in the attic of a house she was showing April 28, 1982”
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