A Camas man is accused of raping a woman — who police say is developmentally delayed — in a bathroom at a Vancouver community center last month.
Dwayne O. Stewart Jr., 43, made a first appearance Monday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of second-degree rape and unlawful imprisonment.
Stewart and the victim entered a public restroom at the Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd., at about 4:45 p.m. March 23. He offered to pay the woman $100 to strip, and when she refused, he blocked her from leaving the bathroom, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
The woman tried to use her cellphone, but Stewart slapped her across the face and pulled off her clothing. He then sexually assaulted her, the affidavit states.
The victim had a sexual assault exam performed within hours of the incident, and investigators observed bruising on the left side of her face, court records say.
She also gave a physical and clothing description of the suspect. She said the man told her his name was “DJ” and that he was a Marine. The two had met outside near the Vancouver Community Library and walked to the area of the Marshall Center, according to court documents.
Multiple surveillance video images were captured of the two, and a transient man in the area recognized the suspect in the image as a man named “DJ.” He said “DJ” was recently in custody with him at the Clark County Jail, the affidavit states.
Investigators checked with the jail and discovered that a man, who goes by the name “DJ” and is a former Marine, was booked April 19 on unrelated charges. That man, identified as Stewart, was wearing the same shoes as those of the rape suspect, court records say.
A search of Stewart’s residence Thursday also turned up a black jacket that the suspect was seen wearing, according to court documents.
In an interview with a detective, Stewart said he recognized the victim and admitted to having sexual contact with her. He also told the detective to let the woman know that he recently tested positive for chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease, the affidavit states.
Stewart self-reported that he’s on misdemeanor probation and is being supervised by the Department of Corrections. He also stated that he suffers from mental health issues and problems with alcohol and drug abuse — methamphetamine being his “drug of choice,” court records show.
His criminal history dates back to 2010 in Clark County and includes convictions for methamphetamine possession, second-degree identity theft and fourth-degree assault, among others.
Judge Robert Lewis set Stewart’s bail at $150,000. He will be arraigned May 11.
