Rape suspect, 17, to be tried as adult

12/20/2003

A 17-year-old Toledoan charged with raping a woman after she left work at Westfield Shoppingtown Franklin Park last month will be tried as an adult, a judge ruled yesterday.

Lamond Johnson of 18 City Park Ave., Lot 39, appeared before Lucas County Juvenile Court Judge James Ray. At issue was whether the Johnson youth would remain in the juvenile court system or be tried as an adult.

Under Ohio law, his age and the seriousness of the charge would have mandated that he be tried as an adult. However, there was some question whether he was a permanent Ohio resident, complicating the matter.

Judge Ray approved his transfer and set a $50,000 bond each on two counts of rape, one of aggravated robbery, and one of kidnapping. He was being held at the Lucas County jail.

The Johnson youth is accused of using a knife to force the 41-year-old woman into her car Oct. 13, driving to an apartment parking lot, raping her, and then driving her to a secluded area elsewhere, and raping her a second time.