A man who raped and assaulted a woman in a parked car in Norge in 2016 is facing 9 years in prison.
Prosecutors presented evidence on three charges, including attempted first-degree murder, strangulation and rape, during Christopher Rashad Johnson’s two-day trial last week in the Williamsburg-James City County Circuit Court, said Commonwealth’s Attorney Nate Green.
During the trial, the judge determined there was insufficient evidence to proceed on the attempted first-degree murder charge.
The jury found Johnson guilty on the rape charge and recommended 8 years in prison.
The jury, however, found Johnson guilty of misdemeanor assault and battery instead of strangulation. They recommended 12 months for that offense.
Johnson’s sentencing will be at 10 a.m. Dec. 5 at the Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse.
The charges stem from an Aug. 17, 2016 incident in which Johnson is accused of choking, punching and then raping a woman in a quiet area at the end of Cokes Lane in Norge, according to police reports and court documents.
According to the criminal complaint, the woman previously dated Johnson and agreed to meet with him in Williamsburg on Aug. 17, 2016. They went to a laundromat, Cook Out drive-thru and the Norge Farm Fresh, where they bought Black & Mild cigars and alcohol.
After going to Farm Fresh, Johnson had the woman drive to the end of Cokes Lane, where they kissed. She allowed him to kiss her, but said she did not want to have sex with him when he asked her, the criminal complaint indicated.
The complaint alleged Johnson of choking the woman until she became lightheaded. He then punched her in the left cheek, which stunned her, and turned her over and raped her.
Johnson has previously been convicted of abduction, assault, gang recruiting and other felony and misdemeanor offenses, according to a criminal history filed in circuit court.
WYDaily archives were used in this story.
