Sunday, July 31, 2011
Three Of Four Suspects Now Charged In Rape Of Local Women
Three of four men wanted in connection with the June kidnapping and rape of four Lawrence County women in Nashville have now been charged.
Metro Nashville Police officials report that the women, ages 29, 28, 19, and 19, are relatives. They reportedly walked from a downtown club, back to their car on Second Avenue around 2:30 a.m. on June 5.
Reports show that the men pushed their way into the car. The women asked them to get out, but after talking with them agreed to give them a ride home. In return, the men said they would buy gasoline.
The group stopped at a convenience store for gas, then the women drove the men to a Claiborne Street home. At that point, two of the men held them at gunpoint and ordered them inside.
Police officials say the women were raped over the course of several hours. During that time, the victims reported a fourth man came to the home. They said he, too, raped them.
At around 7:00 a.m. the women were allowed to leave the house. They drove back to the downtown area, then placed a call to report the crime.
Continued investigation led to arrests of three of the perpetrators. Two juvenile suspects, William A. Burns, 17, and Jeremiah Daniels, also 17, both of Nashville were each charged July 19 through Nashville Juvenile Court on four counts of aggravated kidnapping, three counts of aggravated rape, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Both were subsequently incarcerated at a juvenile detention facility.
Jesse L. Roberts, 23, of Nashville, surrendered himself to police on Thursday. He was served warrants charging him with four counts of aggravated kidnapping and one count of aggravated rape.
Roberts was incarcerated at the Metro Nashville Jail under a bond of $150,000.
Officials report that a fourth suspect has yet to be identified, however investigation is continuing.
Prosecutors are seeking to have Burns and Daniels tried as adults.
