NILES Sex charges pending in Fla. for Warren man

The Elm Street man is accused of jumping into the river to elude officers after a traffic stop.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Authorities in Pensacola, Fla., hope to take a Warren man accused of sexual battery of two teen-age girls back to face those charges after local charges against him have been resolved.
Ohio State Highway Patrol officers stopped a car suspected of speeding early Thursday on U.S. Route 422, near Rainbow Rentals. The passenger, Rahim A. Muhammad, 31, of Elm Street, is accused of getting out of the car, jumping into the river and running from police. Officers from Niles and Howland joined the foot chase, and officers said they caught Muhammad on North Road.
Patrol officers said they found two loaded guns under the car seat. Muhammad was charged in Niles Municipal Court with carrying a concealed weapon, falsification and obstructing official business. The patrol said he initially gave a false identity when questioned.
The driver of the car, Melissa M. Posey, 22, of Kendis Circle, Youngstown, is charged with carrying a concealed weapon and drug possession. The patrol said suspected cocaine was found in Posey's purse.
Muhammad and Posey are in the Trumbull County Jail.
Where he's wanted: After his arrest, Niles police discovered that Muhammad was wanted in Pensacola, Fla.
Detective Pat Doyle of Pensacola police said Muhammad is charged with sexual battery of a 14-year-old girl and a 13-year-old girl. He also is charged with false imprisonment and simple battery of the 13-year-old.
The crimes were reported to Pensacola police in August.
"He left our jurisdiction during the investigation," Doyle said.
He said Pensacola hopes to take Muhammad back to Florida to face the charges after the Trumbull County cases are resolved.