Man Allegedly Drags Victim Between Parked Vehicles, Rapes ...
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Man Allegedly Drags Victim Between Parked Vehicles, Rapes Her; Incident Described as Woman's 'Worst Nightmare' by Judge Pdf Published On October 16, 2021 01:35 AM Amanie Mathurin | October 16, 2021 01:35:44 AM 23 Mugshot of Henson Bedminster. By THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT ST. THOMAS — Bail has been set in the amount of $100,000 for a man accused of perpetrating what a Judge described as a woman’s "worst nightmare."
Transcript of Man Allegedly Drags Victim Between Parked Vehicles, Rapes ...
Man Allegedly Drags Victim Between Parked Vehicles, RapesHer; Incident Described as Woman's 'Worst Nightmare' byJudgePdf Published On October 16, 2021 01:35 AMAmanie Mathurin | October 16, 2021 01:35:44 AM
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Mugshot of Henson Bedminster. By THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — Bail has been set in the amount of $100,000 for a man accused of perpetrating whata Judge described as a woman’s "worst nightmare."
Henson Bedminster appeared virtually before Judge Henry Carr on Friday and was advised that he ischarged with first-degree rape, and first-degree unlawful sexual contact. He is also charged withfirst and third-degree assault. The charges stem from an alleged sexual assault in the early hours ofOctober 13.
It is alleged that at about midnight, a caucasian female was in the area of Wimmelskaft Gade whenshe was attacked by a man later identified as Bedminster. The woman told police that she hadobserved the man sitting in the area while she was taking photographs of buildings, artwork and thenightlife in the area. She said that he later grabbed her and dragged her between a series of parkedvehicles and partially into a water gut. There, she says he pinned her on the ground using the weightof his body, and restrained her hands to stop her attempts to fight against him. In describing theincident to police, the victim noted that the assailant told her “stop fighting me, you are not gettingaway. No one will help you and you cannot charge me with anything.” According to the victim, hethen stuck his hand under her dress and inserted his finger into her vagina. She said while she wasinitially unable to scream due to fear, she eventually struck the defendant and screamed audibly forhelp, at which point he released her and she escaped.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, the victim was able to take a photograph of the man ashe remained in the area after the attack. However, when he noticed her taking the photograph heallegedly grabbed a rock and threatened her saying, “I’ll smash your [expletive] head in if you take a
picture of me.” The woman subsequently ran from the area and sought help from a passerby who shewas familiar with. They then called 911, prompting law enforcement and emergency medicalpersonnel to be dispatched to the scene.
The fact sheet notes that the woman was extremely distraught and tearful when interviewed bypolice, asking, “why would he do that to me? I have been here over two years, and no one has everviolated me like that.”
When shown the photograph of the suspect, two police officers were able to identify him based onhis prior encounters with the law. Henson Bedminster was found and detained by police hours later.While being interviewed by officers, Bedminster admitted to his actions and apologized, stating that“things just got out of hand,” and that he was “sorry.”
At Friday’s advisement hearing, the court was informed that while Bedminster is originally fromDominica, he has a criminal history in the USVI which dates back to 2007. This includes 6 arrestsand 5 convictions for various offenses. Appearing for the people, Attorney Brenda Scales requestedthat bail remain as set at $100,000 as the defendant is considered a danger to the community.Scales noted with concern the nature of the offense, stating that the thought of being dragged intoan alley at night and raped, is every woman’s worst nightmare.
Public Defender Andy Johnson attempted to argue against the charge of first-degree rape,contending that apart from the insertion of a finger, there was no claim of sexual intercourse.However, Judge Carr maintained that this penetration fit the description of rape as defined by thelaw. Johnson further argued that there was no rape kit conducted and no evidence to go onregarding consent. The attorney also questioned the victim’s claims that she was photographingnightlife in the area at that time, suggesting that there may be “more to the story.” Johnson assertedthat it was essentially the woman’s word against that of the defendant.
Judge Carr told the Attorney that he respectfully disagreed with his arguments and concurred withAttorney Scales that the incident described is the worst nightmare he can imagine for any woman.Moreover, the Judge affirmed that there was no reason at this time for him to doubt the victim’sclaims regarding what she was doing in the area.
Concluding that Bedminster is a danger not only to the victim, but to the wider community, JudgeCarr affirmed that bail would remain as set in the sum of $100,000. However, to secure his release,the defendant must identify a suitable third-party custodian and will be subjected to 24/7 housearrest with electronic monitoring.
As part of his bail conditions, he is prohibited from having any contact with the victim and mustmaintain a 100-feet distance from her at all times. Attorney Johnson noted that his client waseffectively homeless for the time being and would be unable to identify a third-party custodian or aresidential address.
If convicted of first-degree rape, Bedminster faces a minimum incarceration of 10 years and amaximum of 30 years. The offenses of first-degree unlawful sexual contact and first-degree assaulteach carry a maximum imprisonment of 15 years. If found guilty of third-degree assault, he faces amaximum fine of $3,000, a maximum incarceration of 5 years or both.
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