3rd count of rape filed against north Toledo teen

2/15/2008

A North Toledo teenager charged with the rape and robbery of students on their way to school was indicted yesterday on a third count of rape.

Andre Winters, 18, of 222 East Weber St. was indicted by a Lucas County grand jury for kidnapping, rape, and aggravated robbery, with firearm specifications and the specification that the defendant is a sexually motivated offender.

The charges were added to the two counts each of rape, kidnapping, and aggravated robbery he already faces.

If convicted on all counts, he faces more than 100 years in prison. He has a Feb. 25 trial date before Common Pleas Court Judge Ruth Ann Franks.

Mr. Winters was arrested Nov. 28 and charged with the Sept. 25 rape of a Waite High School student and the Oct. 18 rape of a Woodward High School student. Both girls were on their way to school in the morning and were raped at gunpoint.

Yesterday's indictment involved the Aug. 23 attack on a 14-year-old girl in North Toledo. Authorities said the girl mistook the man for a friend of hers while walking near Central Avenue and Lagrange Street about 4:30 a.m.

She realized she was mistaken, began talking to the man, and was taken at gunpoint to the yard of a nearby house and sexually assaulted.

Mr. Winters appeared before Judge Franks Wednesday with his attorney, Adrian Cimerman, and asked for a new attorney. Judge Franks denied the request.

He is being held in the county jail in lieu of a $1.75 million bond.