LCSC Cameras View Rape Attempt; Suspect Arrested

Seventeen-year-old girl escapes attack in city alley. Incident caught on tape.

A convicted rapist, released from prison after serving a 20-year prison sentence, was arrested by city police Tuesday for allegedly trying to rape a teenager.

Warren D. Jackson, 43, of 3 N. Shippen St., is accused of attacking the 17-year-old girl Saturday night as she walked on a street about a block from his home. Detective Andrew Morgan charged Jackson with criminal attempt at rape and corruption of a minor.

In 1987, Jackson pleaded guilty to the rape of a 15-year-old Lancaster Mennonite High School student. He served 20 years in prison for the crime.

Morgan gave the following account of Saturday's alleged attack:

About 10 p.m., Jackson made sexual comments toward the girl as she walked in the 200 block of East Grant Street.

He then lunged at the girl, grabbed her and threw her to the ground in a nearby alley. He forcibly tried to stop the girl from screaming for help while attacking her, police said.

Jackson fled on foot after the girl hit him several times and a car drove past the alley.

The victim called police minutes after she was attacked, and the assault was caught on tape by a Lancaster Community Safety Coalition camera, Morgan said.

Jackson was arrested at his home and committed to county prison in lieu of $200,000 bail.

In 1985, East Lampeter Township police charged him with rape, simple assault, unlawful restraint and corruption of minors, according to newspaper records.

Three of the charges were dropped in exchange for Jackson's guilty plea to the rape charge, newspaper records indicate.

In the earlier crime, police said Jackson raped the Mennonite High School student Oct. 8, 1985, as she walked on school grounds after attending a sporting event.

Another student found the girl crying hysterically behind the building, records indicate. The victim was taken to Lancaster General Hospital and treated for multiple cuts and bruises.

Police found Jackson near the school grounds when they arrived on the scene, according to records.

Courtesy of Lancaster Newspapers, Lancaster New Era
Wednesday, March 7, 2007

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