Marin County prosecutors declined to file charges Thursday against a San Diego rapper accused of holding a woman captive in San Anselmo, adding to the mystery surrounding his arrest.
Charles Mitchell — also known by the stage name “Mitchy Slick” — was released from the Marin County Jail shortly before 7:30 p.m. He came out alone through the public entrance while covering his face with his shirt, and declined to talk to reporters before being whisked away by supporters in a Chevy SUV.
Prosecutors had two court days after Mitchell’s arrest to charge him or release him. Mitchell surrendered to the jail Tuesday afternoon on a warrant alleging human trafficking, kidnapping, criminal threats, exhibiting a firearm and participating in a criminal street gang.
District Attorney Ed Berberian declined to comment on why prosecutors decided not to file charges, even though a judge had reviewed the case and found sufficient cause to sign a $1.5 million arrest warrant. Berberian said the investigation is ongoing and charges could still be filed.
Sheriff’s Lt. Doug Pittman said sheriff’s detectives “have been working in concert with the district attorney’s office since the onset of the investigation.”
“We will continue to work with the district attorney’s office from this point forward,” Pittman said.
Neither Berberian nor Pittman would comment on whether the alleged victim has recanted.
The Marin County Sheriff’s Office continued to release few details about the allegations or Mitchell’s accuser. The department alleges that Mitchell, 40, kidnapped the woman in Southern California and held her captive at 30 Oak Knoll Drive in the unincorporated Sleepy Hollow area.
The allegations led investigators to search the residence on Aug. 22 and try to arrest Mitchell on the warrant, but he was not there at the time.
Authorities have not clarified when and where the woman was allegedly kidnapped, how long she was held, how authorities became aware of her alleged captivity, whether she and Mitchell were involved in a relationship and whether Mitchell was renting the Sleepy Hollow residence, among other questions. Pittman declined to answer additional questions about the case Thursday.
Pittman said investigators are still trying to determine whether Mitchell was renting the Sleepy Hollow home. It is owned by Michelle Renowitzky and Carl Renowitzky, according to the county assessor’s office. Neither could be reached for comment Thursday.
It was unclear whether Mitchell is being investigated on similar allegations in his native San Diego. A spokesman for the district attorney said the office is not currently reviewing any police cases against Mitchell.
Mitchell is an alleged member of the “Lincoln Park Bloods,” a gang under a permanent injunction by the San Diego City Attorney’s Office restricting their activities in the Lincoln Park area.
Mitchell is also a well-known rap musician whose records include “Killafornia Handgunner 1,” “Urban Survival Syndrome,” “Trigeration Station” and “Feet Match the Paint.” He is the head of his own label, Wrongkind Records.
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Mitchell was nominated in two categories for the 2014 San Diego Music Awards — best hip-hop artist and best hip-hop album. The winners will be announced Oct. 6.
