This is a followup to
my previous diary entry reporting on a registered sex offender who has been involved in the demonstrations outside Terri Schiavo's hospice, and whose 10-year-old son was arrested there. This story was reported on the same day as my post by the
Charlotte Observer and has since been picked up by other outlets including
Editor and Publisher.
The student-run daily newspaper of Ohio University, The Post, reported on Heldreth's arrest in September 1992. According to the Post article, Heldreth, then 19 years old, was a non-student transient sleeping where he could around campus, and the rape victim was 18. Heldreth by then already had a previous record for battery.
Ironically, this assault occurred the week before the campus Rape Awareness Week.
The Post, September 28, 1992, page one
OUPD arrests non-student for reported rape last week
A 19-year-old man was arrested Sunday night in connection with last Thursday's reported rape of an 18-year-old OU student on the university golf course, an OU Police Department officer said.
Howard Scott Heldreth, formerly of Chicago but living in the Athens area, was charged last night with two counts of rape, said Athens County Prosecutor Bob Toy.
The alleged rapist was a transient, sleeping around various locations, such as lobbies and students' rooms, with their permission, Toy said. He was not an OU student.
Heldreth also has a previous record, including battery, the prosecutor added.
According to an OUPD perss release, the department received numerous leads about possible suspects. All leads were followed up, one of which resulted in the arrest.
...
Heldreth will be in Athens Municipal Court this morning. Toy is asking for a $250,000 bond, based on the nature of the crime, Heldreth's previous record and his living arrangements in Athens, Toy said.
After the bond hearing, Heldreth may face a grand jury indictment, Toy said.
