A Columbus man is now sitting on a $1,000,000 bond after police say DNA evidence linked him to an alleged June 30, 2024, rape and kidnapping in the Laurel Greene neighborhood. Authorities have identified the suspect as 38-year-old Mohamed Mohamed, who is charged with kidnapping, strangulation and rape. A Franklin County Municipal Court judge set the bond and scheduled a preliminary hearing for May 20, 2026, according to police.
Investigators say the case turned a corner when forensic testing of evidence collected from the victim produced a DNA match on March 24, 2026, which led to an arrest warrant, according to NBC4. The woman told police she was assaulted inside an abandoned apartment and was taken to a Columbus hospital on July 2, 2024, where a nurse gathered clothing and other evidence and documented injuries that investigators said were consistent with her account.
Franklin County Municipal Court records list Mohamed's May 10, 2026 arrest and reflect the $1,000,000 bond. The court calendar also shows a preliminary hearing set for May 20, 2026, according to Franklin County Municipal Court.
What investigators say
According to investigators, DNA from the victim's hospital exam matched a profile associated with Mohamed, which they say prompted the warrant and his May 10 arrest, as reported by NBC4. Police have kept a tight lid on additional details while the case is active, and prosecutors are expected to outline more of their evidence at the upcoming preliminary hearing.
Charges and legal next steps
Mohamed faces felony counts of kidnapping, strangulation, and rape in Franklin County. Kidnapping is defined under ORC 2905.01 in the Ohio Revised Code, while strangulation is addressed in ORC 2903.18 in the Ohio Revised Code. Rape is defined at ORC 2907.02, according to Justia. Mohamed is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
DNA testing and local context
Forensic DNA testing has increasingly helped drive arrests in Columbus and beyond, as detectives revisit older evidence and compare genetic profiles against databases. In a separate Columbus case, a recent Hoodline report showed how a new match helped revive an ongoing investigation, as detailed in DNA trail leads cops.
The preliminary hearing in Mohamed's case is scheduled for May 20, 2026, and additional details may emerge through public docket filings as the case moves forward. This story will be updated as prosecutors submit more documents or the court posts new entries.
