Search on for suspect in rape of severely autistic man
TACOMA, Wash. -- The search is on for the man charged in the sexual assault of a developmentally disabled victim at the Boathouse at Point Defiance Park last month.
Jerry A. Johnson has been charged with second-degree rape. Police believe he is on the run, and a warrant for his arrest has been issued.
Johnson, 46, has a long criminal history that includes more than 40 arrests, five felonies - including robbery and kidnapping - and 25 misdemeanors.
He's listed on the state's sex offender registry. And now he's charged in the rape of a severely autistic man who has the mental capacity of a 9 year old.
According to police, the 24-year-old victim was fishing when Johnson lured him into the restroom and sexually assaulted him.
Witnesses reported having seen Johnson walk up to the victim, then seeing the two of them walk off together moments later.
After the alleged assault, the victim walked into a nearby tackle shop and asked for help. And police have been looking for this man ever since.
One witness claims Johnson walked into the tackle shop after the victim and denied the allegations. Another witness said Johnson told him he just got out of jail.
During the day, the boathouse at Point Defiance Park is often packed with fishermen. Several regulars told police they know the victim well, because he, too, is a regular.
Johnson is said to be 5-foot-10 and approximately 160 pounds. He is known to hang around the north end of Tacoma. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call Tacoma police or Crime Stoppers immediately.
Jerry A. Johnson has been charged with second-degree rape. Police believe he is on the run, and a warrant for his arrest has been issued.
Johnson, 46, has a long criminal history that includes more than 40 arrests, five felonies - including robbery and kidnapping - and 25 misdemeanors.
He's listed on the state's sex offender registry. And now he's charged in the rape of a severely autistic man who has the mental capacity of a 9 year old.
According to police, the 24-year-old victim was fishing when Johnson lured him into the restroom and sexually assaulted him.
Witnesses reported having seen Johnson walk up to the victim, then seeing the two of them walk off together moments later.
After the alleged assault, the victim walked into a nearby tackle shop and asked for help. And police have been looking for this man ever since.
One witness claims Johnson walked into the tackle shop after the victim and denied the allegations. Another witness said Johnson told him he just got out of jail.
During the day, the boathouse at Point Defiance Park is often packed with fishermen. Several regulars told police they know the victim well, because he, too, is a regular.
Johnson is said to be 5-foot-10 and approximately 160 pounds. He is known to hang around the north end of Tacoma. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call Tacoma police or Crime Stoppers immediately.