Captured Campus and community relieved as suspect faces 36 criminal counts
Adam Roberts Editor in Chief
Issue date: 2/26/09 Section: News
After nearly three weeks of amped vigilance and awareness resulting from the sexual assault of two female students on Feb. 1, the university and community of Lock Haven were able to rest a little easier as the suspect was arrested last Wednesday.
Domenique Thomas Wilson, 23, of Philadelphia faces 36 criminal counts, 12 of which are felonies stemming from the ordeal during which he allegedly held three students with a knife against their will for more than four hours and raped two of them.
Wilson's charges include rape, robbery, burglary, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, access device fraud, criminal attempt at access device fraud, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, indecent assault, simple assault and terroristic threats.
Wilson's twelfth felony charge was added after he allegedly tried to escape from the Clinton County Correctional Facility last Friday.
The crimes took place at the off-campus residence of three LHU students on the 300 block of East Main Street. Wilson allegedly held the residents against their will for several hours, raped two of them and fled with the victims' debit cards and cash.
Wilson appeared in Central District Court on Tuesday morning for his first appearance hearing.
According to Jennifer Bottorf, victim and witness coordinator for the Clinton County District Attorney's office, the first appearance hearing determines the need for a preliminary hearing.
A preliminary hearing was set for March 24 at 1:15 p.m.
"A preliminary hearing is to show if the commonwealth has enough evidence to move forward in the court system," Bottorf said.
When he was arrested, Wilson was denied bail by Magisterial District Judge Joseph Sanders III because Wilson lacks a permanent Clinton County address and was considered a flight risk.
At the first appearance hearing, there was no mention of bail, according to Bottorf.
So Wilson will remain at the Clinton County Correctional Facility until his next hearing.
If it is determined that the commonwealth has enough evidence to move forward, Wilson would face formal arraignment in either April or May.
Wilson is being represented by Attorney David S. Nenner, of Philadelphia.
As Wilson's case moves forward, LHU students have been able to take away a renewed sense of awareness for safety.
The arrest has also brought a sense of relief to the community.
"We applaud the efforts of state and local police that have led to the arrest of a suspect. The Lock Haven University community is relieved," said President Keith T. Miller in an official statement on the day of the arrest.
Domenique Thomas Wilson, 23, of Philadelphia faces 36 criminal counts, 12 of which are felonies stemming from the ordeal during which he allegedly held three students with a knife against their will for more than four hours and raped two of them.
Wilson's charges include rape, robbery, burglary, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, access device fraud, criminal attempt at access device fraud, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, indecent assault, simple assault and terroristic threats.
Wilson's twelfth felony charge was added after he allegedly tried to escape from the Clinton County Correctional Facility last Friday.
The crimes took place at the off-campus residence of three LHU students on the 300 block of East Main Street. Wilson allegedly held the residents against their will for several hours, raped two of them and fled with the victims' debit cards and cash.
Wilson appeared in Central District Court on Tuesday morning for his first appearance hearing.
According to Jennifer Bottorf, victim and witness coordinator for the Clinton County District Attorney's office, the first appearance hearing determines the need for a preliminary hearing.
A preliminary hearing was set for March 24 at 1:15 p.m.
"A preliminary hearing is to show if the commonwealth has enough evidence to move forward in the court system," Bottorf said.
When he was arrested, Wilson was denied bail by Magisterial District Judge Joseph Sanders III because Wilson lacks a permanent Clinton County address and was considered a flight risk.
At the first appearance hearing, there was no mention of bail, according to Bottorf.
So Wilson will remain at the Clinton County Correctional Facility until his next hearing.
If it is determined that the commonwealth has enough evidence to move forward, Wilson would face formal arraignment in either April or May.
Wilson is being represented by Attorney David S. Nenner, of Philadelphia.
As Wilson's case moves forward, LHU students have been able to take away a renewed sense of awareness for safety.
The arrest has also brought a sense of relief to the community.
"We applaud the efforts of state and local police that have led to the arrest of a suspect. The Lock Haven University community is relieved," said President Keith T. Miller in an official statement on the day of the arrest.
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