Court: Alleged rapist not competent

SANDUSKY — An alleged rapist from Sandusky was recently found not competent to stand trial. Antonio J. Alexander, 34, of the 2100 block of Camp St., was indicted in August with four first-degree felonies: rape, aggravated burglary and two counts of kidnapping. He was additionally charged with second-degree felony strangulation and fifth-degree felony possessing criminal tools. During an April 13 hearing in Erie County Common Pleas Court, Judge Roger Binette accepted a psychiatrist's report that states Alexander is not capable of understanding trial proceedings against him and would be incapable of assisting his defense. The psychiatrist, Dr. Megan O'Grady, said that, through a course of treatment, Alexander could be restored to competency within the statutory period, which is one year. Binette ordered Alexander transported to the maximum security inpatient forensic unit at Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare in Columbus, according to court records. A further hearing on the case is set for 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 14. This is not the first time Alexander has been found not competent for trial. He was indicted in March 2024 with one fifth-degree felony count of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. In November 2024, Binette accepted a report by psychologist Dr. Chelsea Howe stating that Alexander was not competent to stand trial, but that through treatment, it was likely he could be restored to competency within six months. In August, after Alexander was implicated in the current charges, Binette declared that Alexander was still not competent to stand trial and that the statuatory period for him to be brought to competency had expired. Then at a Sept. 8 hearing, the disseminating case against Alexander was dismissed without prejudice, meaning it can be refiled. Rape background Alexander is accused of breaking into a woman's home and raping her. At about 10 p.m. on July 22, officers were called to the 2000 block of Camp St. for the report of a sexual assault. An adult female told officers she was alone and asleep in her home when she heard unusual noises within the residence, according to Sandusky police Chief Jared Oliver. She got up and went to her kitchen, where she located a man. Alexander allegedly grabbed her and placed a zip tie around her neck, which made breathing difficult for the victim, Oliver said. Alexander then assaulted the woman and attempted to bind her wrists with a zip tie. At that point, she was able to push Alexander away and escape the residence. Detectives detained Alexander and interviewed him, according to Oliver. Alexander allegedly made admissions about the incident. He reportedly claimed that he did not break into the home, but that he was invited in. Menacing Alexander is still facing a probation violation hearing for a menacing by stalking conviction, according to court records. The hearing has been continued to 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 26. On Jan. 27, 2023, Alexander pleaded guilty to one count of menacing by stalking, a fourth-degree felony. In exchange for his plea, the state dropped three other charges of menacing by stalking. He was sentenced to two years of community control sanctions, which is commonly known as probation. Based on witness statements and evidence of text messages, Alexander caused a 17-year-old victim to believe that he would seriously harm her, according to a state complaint.