Jeffrey Swick

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Frank Lewis

PDT Staff Writer

A Scioto County man charged with a sexual assault on a woman in the area of Greenlawn Cemetery has been indicted by the Scioto County grand jury. Jeffrey Swick, Jr., 24, of West Portsmouth, was indicted on charges of kidnapping, abduction, gross sexual imposition and sexual imposition with specification to those counts pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 2941.148.

The incident occurred on Aug. 25, 2012, Shortly after 8 p.m. According to Portsmouth Police Chief Robert Ware, a woman was jogging alone, and was attacked by a male who tried to sexually assault her. Swick was taken into custody Aug. 28 after he left his job.

Portsmouth Police Detective Sgt. Jim Charles said detectives met with the victim Aug. 28, and received enough information that led them to consider Swick as their suspect. Charles and Detective Andy Dawes went to his place of employment, and asked him to follow them to the police station. He was interviewed and, according to Charles, confessed to the crime he was charged with. Charles noted kidnapping is a felony of the first degree.

“The victim in this case was very aware of her surroundings. She took notice of him before the attack, and took steps to prepare for an attack before it happened,” Charles said. “So she helped herself out a lot. Her actions probably prevented her from being seriously hurt.”

Ware had some tips for joggers.

“It’s being aware of what’s happening around you,” Ware said. “When the hair is raised on the back of your neck that is usually a good sign that there’s something you need to pay attention to. And in this case she got that feeling, and she reacted and responded in a way that helped her protect herself and to minimize the attack. It could have been a very tragic situation.”

Ware urged joggers to run or walk in pairs and to always be alert and aware of their surroundings.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 252, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com