A 32-year-old man from Immokalee, Florida, has been indicted in Clark County on charges of rape, kidnapping and aggravated burglary after his ex-girlfriend told authorities she escaped an alleged sexual assault at a Springfield apartment and called 911. The case stems from a probable-cause affidavit filed in local court; the woman told investigators she had fled an abusive relationship and came to Springfield seeking safety.
Charges and court filing
According to the probable-cause affidavit filed last Sunday in Clark County Municipal Court and reported by the Springfield News-Sun, the defendant is identified as 32-year-old Berwens Lamour of Immokalee. He faces counts of rape, kidnapping and aggravated burglary. The affidavit, which formed the basis for the indictment, also states that Lamour repeatedly called the woman after she told him to leave her alone.
Legal implications
Under Ohio law, all three alleged offenses are serious felonies. The rape statute is codified in the Ohio Revised Code at section 2907.02, kidnapping is defined in the Ohio Revised Code at section 2905.01, and aggravated burglary appears in the Ohio Revised Code at section 2911.11. Aggravated burglary is a first-degree felony in Ohio, and convictions on these counts can carry lengthy prison terms depending on specifications and sentencing rules.
What investigators allege
“She fled an abusive relationship,” the affidavit states, as quoted by the Springfield News-Sun. Investigators reported finding the woman’s clothing and two cellphones in her bedroom and later locating her credit card in Lamour’s wallet. Police photographed what appeared to be dried blood on the woman’s lip, and the woman told 911 dispatchers she had escaped the assault, according to the filing.
What’s next
Lamour has been indicted and now faces the felony counts outlined in the affidavit. In municipal court, cases like this typically move first to an arraignment or a preliminary hearing before any transfer to the county common pleas court for full prosecution. The Clark County Municipal Court website and local bar resources explain how arraignments and preliminary hearings work and will list any upcoming court dates and new filings as the case moves forward.
Resources for survivors
If you or someone you know needs confidential support after sexual assault, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or via online chat. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
