BECKLEY, W.Va. — Two Raleigh County men are behind bars after a woman was held at gunpoint and raped repeatedly near a popular walking trail.
According to a complaint filed by Beckley Police Cpl. T.M. Capehart, officers were dispatched to East Main Street for a sexual assault complaint. Upon arrival, they found the victim, who appeared distressed and had torn clothes.
The woman told Capehart she had left a convenience store on Robert C. Byrd Drive when two men appeared from the Beckley Rails to Trails. The victim alleges Timothy Harris, 46 of Beckley, shoved her with a firearm before Michael Ritter, 50, pushed her into a wooded area.
“She stated that both suspects took turns sexually assaulting her over and over again against her will over the course of time, estimated to be a few hours,” the complaint reads. “She stated they were calling her names during the assault and told her all women deserve this and that all females bring this (rape) upon themselves.”
The victim told police she did not know either suspect. She was taken to Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital for treatment.
Both men have been charged with first degree sexual assault and conspiracy. Harris faces an additional charge of possession of a controlled substance. Officers found cocaine base in a carton of cigarettes in his possession during arrest.
Harris and Ritter are being held at the Southern Regional Jail on $100,000 bond each.