An Ohio man has been indicted over the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Mitanna Penn and the alleged sexual assault of another teenager in Cleveland.
Devin Thompson, 29, was charged by a Cuyahoga County grand jury on 21 October, following an incident at a home near Loop Drive and Division Avenue six days earlier.
Prosecutors allege that Penn and another 16-year-old were asleep inside the property at about 5.55am on 13 October when Thompson entered. Penn was stabbed multiple times, while the other teenager was allegedly sexually assaulted before Thompson fled.
Police from the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority and Cleveland responded alongside emergency medical crews. Penn was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second teenager was taken to hospital for treatment.
Thompson was arrested by Cleveland police two days later. The investigation remains ongoing.
Charges against Devin Thompson
The indictment includes two counts of aggravated murder, one count of murder, two counts of aggravated burglary, five counts of rape, kidnapping and two counts of felonious assault.
Thompson is also charged with 13 counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor or impaired person, 13 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, tampering with evidence, menacing by stalking and aggravated menacing.
Prosecutors said Thompson had an active warrant for his arrest on a rape allegation at the time of the Cleveland attack. He had also previously been indicted on allegations including rape and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C O’Malley described the case as “beyond disturbing and extremely tragic” and said his office would pursue justice for Penn and all those allegedly harmed.
Thompson is due to be arraigned at the Cuyahoga County Justice Centre at a later date. The charges are allegations and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
