Convicted Felon Faces Charges In Miami County Courtroom

Pleas of not guilty were entered on behalf of Leon Ashcraft, 49, address at-large, during his arraignment Friday morning in Miami County Common Pleas Court in Troy.

Ashcraft, who Miami County Deputies said got out of prison a few weeks ago, was arraigned on charges of rape, aggravated robbery, and three counts of kidnapping.

According to reports, Ashcraft had asked a woman he met the day before for a ride to a grocery store to cash a check. "That's when the crime occurred," said Detective Lt. Steve Lord of the Miami County Sheriff's Department.

Lord said Ashcraft used a knife to threaten the woman and her two children in her van, and raped and robbed the woman.

Ashcraft's cash bond was set at $150,000 by Judge Robert Lindeman.

Detectives said Ashcraft confessed to the crimes.

Steve.Baker@WHIOTV.com