A Fayette County judge ordered Justin H. Plummer held on $450,000 bond after prosecutors allege he beat a woman with a metal water bottle until her skull was exposed, strangled her and waterboarded her during an hours-long attack at his Indiana home.
Background
According to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by Fox affiliate WXIN, the victim told investigators she and Plummer had been arguing when he threw her to the ground and sat on her chest. The alleged assault then escalated dramatically.
Deputies with the Fayette County Sheriff's Office responded Friday to a hospital after staff reported treating a woman for serious injuries. The subsequent investigation led to Plummer's arrest at his residence.
The victim reported that Plummer had been abusive in the past, but described this incident as the most severe she had experienced. She managed to escape only after Plummer consumed several glasses of vodka and cranberry juice, which caused him to pass out, according to the affidavit.
The Charges
Plummer, 44, faces two counts of rape while in possession of a deadly weapon, criminal confinement, strangulation, intimidation and interference with reporting a crime. All charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred over several hours at his home.
According to prosecutors, Plummer wrapped both arms around the victim's neck and strangled her. He also placed a rag-like object over her face and poured water over it, waterboarding her until she lost consciousness multiple times.
The most graphic allegations involve the alleged beatings with a metal water bottle. Cops wrote in the probable cause affidavit that the attacks left the victim with a gash deep enough to expose her skull. After the beating, Plummer allegedly forced the victim to sit on the bathroom floor where he attempted to close the wound using superglue.
Two days after the initial incident, the victim reported additional allegations to investigators. She told a deputy that during the assault, Plummer ordered her onto a couch and grabbed her by the back of the head, forcing her to commit a sex act against her will, according to the affidavit.
Prosecutors also allege that during the attack, Plummer told the victim: "I would love to blow your head off, it would make me happy." She also had visible bruising around her neck when examined at the hospital.
Key Takeaways
- Justin H. Plummer, 44, has been charged with two counts of rape while in possession of a deadly weapon and multiple other felonies
- Fayette County Sheriff's Office investigators allege the victim suffered a skull-exposing head wound from beatings with a metal water bottle
- The suspect allegedly strangled and waterboarded the victim over several hours before attempting to seal her wound with superglue
- Plummer was arrested at his home following the victim's escape to a neighbor's house for help
- Bond has been set at $450,000; Plummer remains in Fayette County Jail
What's Next
Plummer is scheduled to appear in Fayette County Circuit Court on July 29 for his initial hearing. The case remains under investigation by the Fayette County Sheriff's Office. Additional charges related to the sexual assault allegations are expected to be formally filed in the coming weeks, according to court records.