Crime & Safety

Mr. Football Erick Howard Indicted After August Home Invasion, Rape

The two-time Mr. Football recipient was indicted by a Stark County grand jury on charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, rape and kidnapping

A Stark County grand jury indicted two-time Mr. Football recipient and Hoover High grad Erick Howard on several felony counts this week, according to a story by the Canton Repository.

Howard is accused of and raping the female resident. He was indicted on charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, rape and kidnapping, all carrying a firearm specification.

Police say Howard, who , was accompanied by Seth R. Obermiller, who and already pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery, both first-degree felonies, and kidnapping, a second-degree felony, according to the Stark County Prosecutor's Office.

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Police believe Michael A. Taylor was a lookout and drove the getaway car. Taylor, who , pleaded guilty to attempt to commit burglary, a third-degree felony.

Obermiller and Taylor are expected to be sentenced this week in Judge Taryn L. Heath's courtroom, according to the Stark County Prosecutor's Office. They've agreed to testify against Howard.

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Here's the narrative police give of the Aug. 20 incident: Two men broke into the couple's Meadowbrook Apartments home through the basement window. They woke up the couple, pointed handguns in their faces, duct taped their hands and feet and taped over their mouths. They demanded their cellphones and stole $1,000 cash, a pair of earrings and other belongings before leaving in a car.

The woman told police she also had been raped. She was taken to Mercy Medical Center, where she was treated and released shortly after.


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