Inmate accused of attempted rape

PERKINS TWP. — An Erie County Jail inmate accused of attempting to sexually assault a female jail employee entered an insanity plea this week. Zachary D. Ball, 23, of the 6900 block of Poorman Road, Vermilion, is under indictment for two felony counts — attempted rape and gross sexual imposition — after an Oct. 9 incident in which he allegedly "removed his shorts and attempted to engage in sexual activity" with the woman "without her consent," according to an Erie County sheriff's report. Ball, who was in jail on misdemeanor charges of assault and violating a protection order through Vermilion Municipal Court, was standing in the doorway of one of the jail's male housing blocks when staff was handing out medication to inmates. While that was happening, Ball allegedly exposed his penis, moved behind the woman "and (attempted) to lift her shirt and (pulled) on the back of her pants," the report states. A corrections officer then grabbed Ball and moved him to another holding cell and placed him on lockdown. Ball originally pleaded not guilty on Nov. 9 and on Wednesday, through his attorney, filed a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity along with a request to evaluate his competency to stand trial. Prosecutors have not yet filed a response to the motion, nor has a judge ruled on it, according to Erie County common pleas court records. Ball's next court hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on April 15. As of late Wednesday, he's locked up in jail on a $27,000 bond.