YORK, Pa.–A 30-year-old man is accused of raping a woman and holding her against her will in York City during the snowstorm in January, according to court documents.
James R. Clabaugh, of York, is charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion, sexual assault, unlawful restraint, terroristic threats and simple assault. He was arraigned on Jan. 24 and taken to York County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail.
Police responded to the 200 block of Grant Street on Jan. 24 after receiving a 911 call from a concerned citizen stating that their neighbor had been raped and was being held hostage, according to the criminal complaint .
Investigators went to the house and learned Clabaugh’s girlfriend and her 18 month old son were being held against their will at home during the snowstorm, court documents state.
The woman told police that the night before she and Clabaugh had an argument about text messages she received from other men, according to the criminal complaint. Clabaugh had been drinking alcohol and the argument quickly turned physical.
According to court documents, Clabaugh grabbed the woman’s throat and began to choke her while saying, “I will kill you right now.”
Clabaugh placed the woman in a headlock and forced her into the bedroom. He then threatened the woman with a kitchen knife and raped her, according to the criminal complaint.
After the rape, Clabaugh refused to let the woman leave and blocked the bedroom door, court records show. The next day, Clabaugh allowed the woman to go down stairs to feed her son. When Clabaugh came downstairs, the woman told him she had to use the bathroom. That’s when she used the opportunity to whisper out of a window for her neighbor to call 911 for help.
When police arrived at the home–they found Clabaugh hiding under a bed. He was arrested and taken to Central Booking.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11.
