Kent man pleads not guilty to raping and robbing man targeted through phone app
May 6, 2013, 4:12 PM | Updated: 5:15 pm
A Kent man has pleaded not guilty to raping a man he contacted through a gay dating application on his cell phone.
Prosecutors claim Leverne Maxwell, 32, contacted a Seattle man in April and went to his home, promising to buy a Kindle. Once there, police say Maxwell used a gun to force the victim to have sex with him. After he was assaulted, the victim locked himself in a bedroom and escaped out a window. He ran to the neighbor’s house to call police.
Maxwell took off with the victim’s phone, iPad, and Kindle, according to police.
Kent police eventually arrested Maxwell after a trace of the stolen cell phone led them to his location.
Maxwell is charged with one count of rape in the first degree, three counts of robbery in the first degree, and two counts unlawful possession of a firearm.
Police accuse him of targeting men who use a smart phone app to find other members of the gay community. The app uses GPS to help users locate one another and arrange a face-to-face meeting.
Police believe there are more victims out there. They are asked to contact Kent Police Detective Sgt. John Pagel at 253-856-5910.
