Trial under way for Warren Township man accused of rape, assault

February 3, 2009 at 4:52p.m.

WARREN — Testimony began today in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court in the rape and felonious assault of Charles L. Lemons III, 51, of Carl Street Southwest, Warren Township.

Lemons could get up to 48 years in prison if convicted. He has been in Trumbull County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bond since late 2007.

Warren police said he raped a 21-year-old woman on North Federlee Street Southeast and hit her with a hammer in October 2007.

Lemons is a registered sex offender sent to prison after he was convicted in 1978 of rape, kidnapping and abduction involving five Warren Western Reserve High School students. He was 21 at the time.