FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2009 

CLEVELAND-Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason announced that a grand jury returned an indictment against Anthony Sowell for assaulting and raping a 36-year-old female on September 22, 2009. Sowell faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The victim saw Sowell, 50, walking near E. 116th Street in Cleveland. Sowell took the victim back to his home on Imperial Avenue in Cleveland. Sowell became violent and raped the victim. While raping her, he strangled her with a cord until she lost consciousness. When she regained consciousness, he led her out of the house. She was treated the following day at the hospital. Cleveland Police responded to the hospital and began an investigation.

Sowell was indicted on one count of attempted murder, a felony of the first degree; two counts of rape, felonies of the first degree; two counts of kidnapping, felonies of the first degree; and two counts of felonious assault, felonies of the second degree. Sowell's charges carry specifications that include: notice of prior conviction, repeat violent offender, sexual motivation specification, and sexually violent predator specification.

"This case led to the search warrant that culminated in the findings of 11 victims at the Imperial Avenue home. The investigation into those homicides continues," said Prosecutor Bill Mason. "Upon completion of the investigation, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office working with the Cleveland Police Department will present evidence to the grand jury seeking the death penalty for these heinous murders committed by Sowell."