CHARDON — An 18-year-old June graduate of Kenston High School was arrested Wednesday by Geauga County sheriff’s deputies on a charge of gross sexual imposition
George E. Harriss of 7635 Fields Road, Bainbridge Township was charged with a fourth-degree felony, in connection to the June 19 attack of a Newbury Township woman.
Geauga County Sheriff Dan McClelland said Thursday during a press briefing that the Newbury victim was jogging early in the morning on Grace Street, off Bell Road. The suspect stopped and got out of his car.
McClelland said the woman was grabbed and fondled before she was able to flee to a nearby home. The woman called the sheriff’s department.
Chagrin Falls Police Department later arrested and quizzed Harriss about a similar incident, which occurred July 19. In that incident, the female victim got a license number and gave authorities a description of her attacker and the car he drove, McClelland said.
Chagrin police had the woman work with a Willoughby Police Department sketch artist to draw a composite of the suspect.
The defendant remained in Geauga County jail Thursday, unable to post a $10,000 cash or surety bond.
Chardon Municipal Court Judge Mark Hassett set the bond and questioned Harriss during the brief video taped hearing linked from the jail. Hassett explained he delayed the hearing from Wednesday to give the defendant time to talk with his parents, with whom he lives.
Hassett is expected to appoint a public defender to represent Harriss if the man qualifies as an indigent. A preliminary hearing in the case is set for 2 p.m. Sept. 5. If convicted, Harriss could face six to 15 months in jail and up to a $5,000 fine.
The sheriff said the Chagrin Falls victim’s description of her attacker was very close to Harriss’ actual height, weight and car the man drove the day of the attack. Harriss’ maroon late model car was seized at the time of his arrest.
It was still parked outside the Geauga jail Thursday before being towed to the sheriff’s department impound yard.
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