( CINCINNATI, OH ) -- Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters will indict Shannon Merritt, 46, on charges of Felonious Assault, Rape, Attempted Rape, Kidnapping, and Abduction.
Merritt is charged with beating and raping a relative at a home in Bond Hill on March 2 and 3. If convicted of all charges, he faces in excess of 40 years in prison.
Prosecutor Deters commented, "This is an atrocity. How anyone could do this to another human being is mind boggling. Add in the factor that the victim is his relative, and it borders on barbaric. This defendant is now in custody. Thanks to the Cincinnati Police Department Fugitive Apprehension Squad and the Lebanon Police Department for making this arrest."