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Man Charged With Rape After Allegedly Using "Date Rape Drug" On Victim

Last updated on Monday, October 19, 2015

(BLOOMFIELD) - A Bloomfield man who allegedly drugged a woman with a “date rape drug,” then repeatedly sexually assaulted her, was arrested and is being held at the Greene County Jail on a $55,000 bond.

Police arrested 24-year-old Justin Lee Koontz on Wednesday night after a warrant was issued the same day.

Koontz was charged Friday on two felony counts of rape - when the victim was unaware of the defendant's actions, with an enhancing circumstance, a Level 1 Felony; and rape when the victim was unaware of the defendant's actions, a Level 3 Felony.

According to a probable cause affidavit the first incident occurred in the early morning hours of October 19, 2014 at a home in the 1000 block of South Lewis Street in Bloomfield where he lived with his wife.

The woman, who was a friend of Koontz's wife was visiting the home when the incident happened.

The woman, who did not usually drink, accepted a drink of cookie dough-flavored vodka from Koontz. After drinking the alcoholic beverage the woman began to feel "weird" and started to fall asleep. She told police she could only remember "bits and pieces." But she did remember waking up multiple times to having intercourse and oral sex. The woman told police she attempted to stop Koontz, but she says it was like she couldn't move or even say anything. At one point she woke up and was choking, and Koontz's pelvic area was in her face.

The victim told police she felt helpless.

The woman did have a sexual assault evaluation done at IU Health Bloomington Hospital. The woman had suffered vaginal tearing caused by sexual activity and numerous bruises on her arms.

The victim's urine test results showed there was Gamma-HydroxyButric Acid (GHB), a known "date rape drug" in her system at the time of her exam.

According to police GHB is a powerful synthetic drug that has euphoric and sedative effects. It acts as a depressant on the central nervous system.The effects of the drug can be felt within 15 to 20 minutes after ingestion. GHB can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, seizures, respiratory depression and intense drowsiness. In some cases it is known to even cause unconsciousness and coma. As a result you may not be able to recall what happens to you. When GHB is consumed with alcohol or other drugs, the consequences could be life threatening, without immediate care, it could be fatal.

During an interview with police, Koontz told police he was "pretty sure" he didn't have sexual intercourse or touch the victim, before he halted the interview to wait for his attorney. Police obtained a search warrant to gather Koontz's DNA.

DNA mouth swabs from Koontz were submitted to the Indiana State Police Lab for comparison with swabs obtained from the victim. The results showed Koontz's DNA , was consistent with the DNA profile taken from the victim.

On October 2, Koontz and his attorney Roy Graham attended a polygraph appointment at the Jasper Post of the Indiana State Police.

During the interview with ISP Polygraph Technician and Polygraph Expert Witness Dan Gress, Koontz allegedly changed his story from the original interview and he claimed that he was raped by the alleged victim.

After taking the polygraph test, Gress reported the test detected deception by Koontz and Gress said he was convinced Koontz was not being truthful.

With supporting DNA evidence, testimony, a polygraph examination and test results indicating use of GHB, a criminal case was filed against Koontz early Wednesday.

The Greene County Daily World reported, during his initial hearing on Friday, Koontz was ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim. Court records do not indicate that he requested a public defender - one was not appointed.

On Friday night, Koontz remained in custody on the bond of $55,000 surety with ten percent allowed - he could be released by posting $5,500 cash.

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