Rape, kidnapping charged - August 24, 2005

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2005-11-22

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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 24, 2005 Rape, kidnapping charged By CHRIS CONRAD Mail Tribune Police arrested a Central Point man who they believe kidnapped and raped a 30-year-old woman in March after slipping a "date-rape" drug into her drink at a Medford bar. Michael Todd Fowler, 29, of the 1100 block of Looking Glass Way, was arrested Tuesday at a Central Point-construction site where he worked. He was charged with first-degree rape and first-degree kidnapping, Medford police Lt. Tim George said. Fowler was lodged in the Jackson County Jail, where he remained late Tuesday on $2 million bail. If convicted of first-degree rape, he would face a minimum sentence of eight years and four months in prison. The first-degree kidnapping charge carries a minimum seven years and six months. The arrest comes after a 6-month investigation by detectives, who suspected Fowler early on, George said. "One of the peculiar aspects of this case is the use of a "date-rape" drug that was put in her drink," George said. Advertisement Contacts at the bar in which the incident occurred and forensic work done by the Crime Detection Lab allowed police to unravel the case, George said. "We have substantial evidence to establish these charges on Fowler," George said. Late at night on March 12 the alleged victim was drinking at a downtown Medford bar when she left her drink unattended for a brief time. When she returned she was approached by a man she didn’t know, officials said. Shortly after, she blacked out and awoke at around 3 a.m. in an abandoned house in a rural setting. She claims to have no memory of previous few hours. The man was also at the home. He transported her to an unknown roadside location east of Medford and dropped her off. George said the home, located at the 500 block of Skyline Drive near Shady Cove, was known to Fowler. "I think this person knew where he was going," George said. The woman walked along the road for about an hour when a female motorist picked her up. Police have yet to identify the motorist, who the victim described as a white female, approximately 40-years-old, wearing a flannel shirt with a mullet-style hair cut. She was driving a beige or bronze pickup. The motorist told the victim she just got off work at "the mill." George would like the public’s help in identifying the motorist who assisted the victim. "Hopefully, she steps forward," he said. "It would be good for the case." Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call Medford police at (541) 774-2247. Reach reporting intern Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail Rape, kidnapping charged ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home  | Local News  | Sports  | Business  | Obituaries  | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives  |  Site Map  | Community  | Classified   Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Advertisement s