2nd teenager enters plea in robbery, rape, found guilty
11/6/2012The second of two teenagers charged in the robbery and rape of a woman in her apartment after she was approached to buy candles for a fund-raiser entered a plea Monday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.
Anthony Mitchell, 16, of 5364 Glenridge Dr. entered an Alford plea to one count each of aggravated burglary with a gun specification and of rape. He faces up to 23 years in prison when sentenced Nov. 28.
Mitchell’s co-defendant, Kenneth Moore, 19, of 801 Magnolia St., entered a similar plea last month and is to be sentenced Wednesday.
Assistant County Prosecutor Rob Miller said that the two teenagers had been selling candles door to door and to businesses in the weeks prior to the July 16 incident. The victim, 23, had been approached by the two defendants at her place of work prior to them coming to her home, Mr. Miller said.
The victim next saw the two at the door of her Ryan Road apartment, where she once again refused to purchase candles. Mr. Miller said she was asked by Moore to use her bathroom and “against her better judgment,” she allowed him inside.
Moore returned from the bathroom with a loaded handgun and Mitchell entered the apartment and locked the door, Mr. Miller said.
The victim was forced at gunpoint to strip out of her clothing and, after being threatened that they were going to have sex with her, was forced to perform oral sex on both defendants.
Moore then took a bag and began to fill it with property, including video games, computers, and the victim’s engagement ring. When leaving, Moore took the victim’s driver’s license and ordered her not to call police, saying that they knew where she lived, Mr. Miller said.
With the victim’s cooperation, police were able to create a sketch of the suspects, and days later, an off-duty officer recognized the teens as they attempted to sell candles to local businesses.
The pair were arrested and questioned, and ultimately they confessed, Mr. Miller said. He added that Moore’s DNA and fingerprints were found in the victim’s apartment and the victim’s engagement ring and the gun were found hidden in the Glendale Avenue business where the pair were spotted.
In an Alford plea, the defendant maintains his innocence or does not admit he committed a crime but acknowledges evidence is sufficient for a conviction. The court treats it as a guilty plea.
Prior to appearing in Common Pleas Court, Mitchell was charged in Juvenile Court, where he was certified in August to face the charges as an adult.
Contact Erica Blake at: eblake@theblade.com or 419-213-2134.