MSU announces arrest of rape suspect

Contact: Maridith Geuder

STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State is announcing an arrest resulting from the Aug. 12 report of a campus assault.

"Our detectives have put in many hours on this case and we're confident that we have identified the correct suspect," University Police Chief Georgia Lindley said Thursday [Oct. 18].

The alleged assailant, Johnny Lamout Griffis Jr. of Houston, also known as "Radar Griffis" and "Johnny Lamont Griffis," has been arrested for rape. The Chickasaw County man is not an MSU student.

Griffis is being held in the Oktibbeha County Jail on a $100,000 bond, but also faces parole revocation charges from the Mississippi Department of Corrections. He potentially faces prosecution on the felony charge should he be indicted by an Oktibbeha County grand jury in January.

Last August, an 18-year-old female reported that she was raped as she was jogging on the western edge of campus. She described her assailant as a black male in his mid-20s, wearing a gray tank top, black shorts and tan gardening gloves.

"We have followed every lead since then and two weeks ago were able to tie another reported incident to this investigation," said lead MSUPD detective Don Bartlett.

Bartlett said he and fellow MSU investigator Ken Holbrook worked closely with both the Starkville Police Department and the Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Office throughout the investigation.

"This has been a very delicate, time-consuming and sensitive investigation, and all of the law enforcement officials involved are extremely proud to have it culminate in an arrest," Bartlett said. "We are very appreciative of the outstanding assistance from our local law enforcement agencies."

Bartlett said the arrest begins a long process of preparing the case for the consideration for prosecution and that investigators will continue their work.

University officials continue to remind students to take precautions that can help ensure personal safety. Among them:

--Never travel on foot alone after dark; travel only in well-lit areas with a group;

--Lock all doors and windows of vehicles and residences;

--Be conscious of surroundings at all times;

--Report suspicious activities or people to the MSU Police Department or call 911 in case of an emergency; and

--Request a campus escort by MSUPD officers.

Thu, 10/18/2007 - 05:00