3 Arrested On Rape-Related Charges Have Preliminary Hearings
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
3 Arrested On Rape-Related Charges Have Preliminary Hearings
By Teresa Carrano-
Judge James Heuer questioned three individuals: Henry M. Wright, 25, charged with rape, a level 1 felony; kidnapping, a level 2 felony; and robbery, a level 3 felony; Camara Jermaine Benson, 21, charged with kidnapping and robbery; and Dennis Lee Thomas, 43, charged with aiding in kidnapping ,a level 2 felony. They are from Fort Wayne.
According to Columbia City and South Whitley police reports, the woman was followed to South Whitley from her place of employment in Columbia City. She was stopped in the 400 block of North Calhoun Street by Wright and Benson, who took control of her vehicle. Thomas allegedly followed them back to Columbia City in another vehicle.
The woman was sexually assaulted and left outside the city.
Wright reportedly had a deadly weapon, but the kind of weapon was not specified.
The men were apprehended in Fort Wayne, brought back to Whitley County and booked into the jail at 4:05 a.m. Wednesday.
Heuer advised Wright, who appeared in court without a lawyer, that the charges against him include sexual assault by force, hijacking a vehicle and taking a person by force from one location to another against her will and stealing cash and/or an ATM card from the woman.
The court had entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
The judge said the first charge of sexual assault comes with a one- to four-year sentence; the second count of kidnapping has a 10 to 30 year sentence with 17-1/2 years being the advisory sentencing and the third count of robbery carries a sentence of three to 16 years with nine years the advisory sentencing.
Wright is being held in the Whitley County Jail on a $250,000 bond.
Wright said he could not afford an attorney and Heuer recommended public defender Anthony Churchward. Wright said he didn’t want Churchward, that Churchward had defended Wright in Allen County. Heuer then appointed Brad Baber to be Wright’s legal representative, with Wright in agreement.
When he stood, Wright said, “I’m innocent,” and repeated “I’m innocent” before being led from the courtroom by Whitley County Sheriff’s deputies.
The court also entered not guilty pleas for Benson and Thomas.
Heuer explained Benson’s charges, of kidnapping and robbery, the possible sentences and added each come with a fine of up to $10,000, when the second man appeared before the judge. Benson is being held in Whitley County Jail on a $150,000 surety bond. Benson said he will hire an attorney.
Thomas, charged with aiding a kidnapping, heard the charge carries a fine up to $10,000 and a sentence of 10 to 30 years with 17-1/2 years being the advisory sentence. He is being held at the Whitley County Jail on a $100,000 surety bond.
When Thomas indicated he could not afford an attorney, public defender Cory Spreen was assigned to his case.
The victim’s identity has not been released as is common in sexual assault charges.
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Judge James Heuer questioned three individuals: Henry M. Wright, 25, charged with rape, a level 1 felony; kidnapping, a level 2 felony; and robbery, a level 3 felony; Camara Jermaine Benson, 21, charged with kidnapping and robbery; and Dennis Lee Thomas, 43, charged with aiding in kidnapping ,a level 2 felony. They are from Fort Wayne.
According to Columbia City and South Whitley police reports, the woman was followed to South Whitley from her place of employment in Columbia City. She was stopped in the 400 block of North Calhoun Street by Wright and Benson, who took control of her vehicle. Thomas allegedly followed them back to Columbia City in another vehicle.
The woman was sexually assaulted and left outside the city.
Wright reportedly had a deadly weapon, but the kind of weapon was not specified.
The men were apprehended in Fort Wayne, brought back to Whitley County and booked into the jail at 4:05 a.m. Wednesday.
Heuer advised Wright, who appeared in court without a lawyer, that the charges against him include sexual assault by force, hijacking a vehicle and taking a person by force from one location to another against her will and stealing cash and/or an ATM card from the woman.
The court had entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
The judge said the first charge of sexual assault comes with a one- to four-year sentence; the second count of kidnapping has a 10 to 30 year sentence with 17-1/2 years being the advisory sentencing and the third count of robbery carries a sentence of three to 16 years with nine years the advisory sentencing.
Wright is being held in the Whitley County Jail on a $250,000 bond.
Wright said he could not afford an attorney and Heuer recommended public defender Anthony Churchward. Wright said he didn’t want Churchward, that Churchward had defended Wright in Allen County. Heuer then appointed Brad Baber to be Wright’s legal representative, with Wright in agreement.
When he stood, Wright said, “I’m innocent,” and repeated “I’m innocent” before being led from the courtroom by Whitley County Sheriff’s deputies.
The court also entered not guilty pleas for Benson and Thomas.
Heuer explained Benson’s charges, of kidnapping and robbery, the possible sentences and added each come with a fine of up to $10,000, when the second man appeared before the judge. Benson is being held in Whitley County Jail on a $150,000 surety bond. Benson said he will hire an attorney.
Thomas, charged with aiding a kidnapping, heard the charge carries a fine up to $10,000 and a sentence of 10 to 30 years with 17-1/2 years being the advisory sentence. He is being held at the Whitley County Jail on a $100,000 surety bond.
When Thomas indicated he could not afford an attorney, public defender Cory Spreen was assigned to his case.
The victim’s identity has not been released as is common in sexual assault charges.
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