Suspect in sleepwalking rape case indicted

CINCINNATI, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- A 52-year-old homeless man in Cincinnati was indicted this week on charges he raped a woman who was sleepwalking.

Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor Seth Tieger said it was undoubtedly clear the unidentified 23-year-old victim was sleepwalking when Dexter Ford allegedly attacked her this month, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Wednesday.

"If you would see her in that state, you would instantly know something was wrong," Tieger said during Tuesday's hearing. "It's not like she was carrying on a normal conversation."

Ford's defense attorney, Jeff Adams, has been arguing that his client was unsure of the woman's state during the Nov. 8 encounter.

"How is he to know she is sleepwalking, if it's a dream 'yes' or a real 'yes'?" Adams said.

Ford faces several charges for the alleged attack, including rape, attempted rape and kidnapping.

The Enquirer said he also is facing an additional charge of felonious assault due to the fact he is HIV-positive and knew of his condition when the alleged attack occurred.