GAHANNA, Ohio — A man is accused of pointing a gun at a victim near a Gahanna park and forcibly dragging her toward a wooded area in an attempt to have sex with her, according to court records.
Johnathan Steele, 27, was charged with kidnapping, attempt to commit an offense, abduction and carrying a concealed weapon.
The victim called Gahanna police around 1:10 p.m. on Tuesday, stating that a man wearing a ski mask with no shirt on had pointed a handgun at her and dragged her into the woods, an affidavit says.
Shortly after the call, officers arrived to meet with the victim and search for the suspect.
According to the affidavit, the victim told investigators that she was walking on a path near the Gahanna swimming pool and park at 168 James Road when a man emerged from the woods and pointed a gun at her. The victim said that the man told her, “Come with me or I’ll shoot you.”
The affidavit says the victim ran away from the suspect, who then chased her down and grabbed her from behind, wrapping his arms around her and grabbing her wrist.
The victim reportedly offered the suspect her purse, but the affidavit says the suspect threw it down and told the victim, “I don’t want that. I want you.”
The suspect then allegedly dragged her toward a tree line where she fought him and ran away.
An officer was able to locate the suspect, later identified by police as Steele, riding a bicycle on Price Road, near James Road.
Steele reportedly had a loaded handgun in a holster on his hip. According to the affidavit, Steele is prohibited from carrying a firearm due to a “domestic violence equivalent conviction” in Virginia.
Court records say that Steele made spontaneous utterances of “it was me with the girl.” Police also reportedly found a ski mask in his backpack. He was subsequently arrested.
The affidavit shows that Steele waived his Miranda Rights and confessed to having thoughts of wanting to commit rape one hour prior to the incident.
During that time, he had noticed the victim walking and Steele allegedly admitted to following her, pointing his gun at her and wrestling with her.
Steele said he had dragged her toward the tree line with the intention of having sex with her, court documents show. Police said that the victim specifically mention rape in the context of the attempt.
Steele was arraigned Monday afternoon in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, where his bond was set at $500,000.