Susan Wagoner
A Salina man was arraigned on Thursday on charges of first-degree rape after his DNA matched evidence recovered following the assault.
Lonnie Dean Hughes, 40, is charged with the July 12 rape of a 67-year-old woman.
The victim was awakened in the middle of the night with a pillowcase over her head. According to Assistant District Attorney Jessica Carriger, who spoke during the arraignment, the victim was “raped several different ways, both vaginally and anally.”
The woman, who lives south of Salina, was taken for a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examination).
According to Sergeant Albert McKee of the Mayes County Sheriff’s Office, evidence was found and DNA obtained from the exam.
However, it was through conversation and good timing that Hughes became the focus of the investigation.
A deputy, who was cruising the roads on the night of the rape, noticed an abandoned car on the side of Highway 82.
“There was a vehicle abandoned on the shoulder and the deputy ran a check on the tag,” McKee said, adding that the car was identified as belonging to Hughes.
The next evening, when the deputy returned to the sheriff’s office to begin his shift, he heard about the rape.
“He said there was a vehicle parked on the highway in the vicinity during that time,” McKee said.
Domestic Violence Investigator Alan Davis, who was working on the case, made a visit to Hughes.
“He consented to a DNA test,” Davis said of their interview.
The sample was sent to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations lab, where the tests were conducted.
“They matched it with evidence on the victim,” McKee said.
Thursday morning, the sheriff’s department executed a search warrant for Hughes’ home, searching for a specific piece of evidence.
“We found it,” McKee said, adding that Hughes was then arrested and given a free ride to the “Mayes County Bed & Breakfast.”
He has been charged with first-degree rape and first-degree burglary.
The district attorney’s office requested that he be held on a $500,000 bond. Special District Judge Gary Dean agreed and instructed Hughes that should he make bail, he must have no contact with the victim.
It was also revealed that Hughes is currently on probation for a previous charge of child abuse in Beckham County. According to investigators, it appeared that the previous charges were not of a sexual nature.
A preliminary hearing was set for October 15, at 9:30 a.m. At that time, Hughes must appear with his attorney, which will most likely be court appointed.
