GRATIS TWP., Preble County — A woman was reportedly held against her will for nearly two weeks, during which time she was sexually and physically assaulted.
Preble County deputies arrested Sean Z. Barnett, 26, of Gratis Twp., on charges of rape, kidnapping, abduction, gross sexual imposition and assault.
The sheriff’s office responded Monday to a house on Jacksonburg Road to investigate a domestic-violence related call.
During the investigation, authorities said the woman, who was an acquaintance of Barnett, had been held against her will at his house since Jan. 23.
“I think that there was a threat of violence against her. I think there may have been some information that she was locked in a room,” Preble County Sheriff Mike Simpson said. “Some pretty serious stuff had gone on during those days that she was kept at the house.”
Barnett’s estranged wife called 9-1-1 when she became aware of the situation between Barnett and the woman.
“Thank God we got that phone call and she was able to get out of that situation,” Simpson said.
Barnett had left the house by the time deputies got there, but he was stopped later and arrested in Shelby County.
Barnett also was arrested after a similar case in November 2013, when he was accused of holding a woman and girl hostage at gunpoint for several hours.
He was convicted in that case on charges of abduction, felonious assault and using a weapon while intoxicated. He served two years in prison.
Barnett is in jail on the latest charges with a $100,000 bond.
