GALLATIN CO.— A case of Sexual Assault by force or threat of force, known in other states as Rape, has been charged in Gallatin County.
What makes the details of the case a bit confusing is state’s attorney Allen Roe’s failure to bother to tell where crimes take place.
Authorities say that on April 3, Mathew L. Barnes, 25, of 161 West Marshall Ave. in Shawneetown, committed the offense of Criminal Sexual Assault when he used force or threat of force in committing an act of sexual penetration.
Barnes’ cash bond in the case was set at $7,500.
Conditions of that bond include that he have no contact with a female who will for purposes of this article bear the fictitious initials of BB.
In a separate case filing, Stephanie M. Capeheart, 23, is accused of committing the offense of Unlawful Restraint on April 3 (the same date as in Barnes’ rape case) when without lawful authority she detained the same BB as mentioned in Barnes’ rape case, in a residence located at 161 Marshall Ave., Shawneetown, (Barnes’ address) and refused to allow BB to leave by blocking the door with her body.
Bond in the case was set at $1,500 cash with conditions including that Capeheart have no contact with the same BB until further notice of the judge.
Barnes has also been charged with a single count of Theft after authorities say on March 9 he stole three gold plated rings from Amber Barnes.
Although Roe lists Barnes’ address as 161 Marshall Ave., Shawneetown, and both Barnes and Capeheart are said to have committed their crimes at the same address and on the same day, there is no mention in the sex crimes case as to what location the assault allegedly happened.
Thanks to the state’s attorney’s ineptness it cannot be confirmed whether or not Capeheart had anything to do with Barnes’ case or vice versa.