Retribution Rape Raises Red Flags

An unusual rape case has police concerned. The victim says she was held at knife point, beaten and raped after the suspect saw her name in a police report filed against him in a previous case. News On 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports records show Anthony Boyd just got out of jail Sunday on drug charges.

Boyd is back in jail on complaints of kidnapping, rape and assault.

Records show a search warrant was served at the house where Anthony Boyd lives. He went to court on drug charges and as is the law, his attorney was given police reports and documents about the case.

A woman, who was an acquaintance of Boyd, was listed in one of those documents, as someone police talked to. However, police say it was unnamed confidential informants who gave them the information needed to bust him for marijuana possession.

Still, the woman told police Boyd found her Tuesday night, forced her at knifepoint back to his home, raped her and beat her because he was mad about the search warrant.

"He believed the victim to be the informant who led to his arrest, which appears to be the motive for the attack," said TPD Sgt. Gary Stansill. "Retribution."

Police say they are worried about suspects using this type of information to threaten, intimidate or even hurt people.

"There's witnesses names, all kinds of information we have to put in reports and defense counsel needs the information to properly defend clients but in this case, when a defendant uses that information to victimize somebody, it's a concern of mine and a concern to law enforcement in general," said Sgt. Stansill.

Records show Boyd has previous convictions and has spent time in prison. Officers say this type of an attack, while it's not common, could have a chilling effect on people in the future.

"We don't need any more reasons for people not to come forward," said Sgt. Stansill.

The public defender's office says they have to share information about the charges with their clients, so the clients can help in their own defense. They say they appreciate the police concerns, but certainly can't keep secrets from the people accused of crimes.

The DA's office says they would look into the case to see if anything can be done to prevent further harm.