Party host arrested after girl's rape claim

The 14-year-old was allegedly raped at Joseph Craig Sherouse's home. He was charged with child neglect.

By BILL VARIAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 11, 2001

HERNANDO -- Investigators have made yet another arrest in the wake of the reported rape in December of a 14-year-old girl, this time nabbing the alleged host of the party she was attending.

Joseph Craig Sherouse, 21, of Hernando, was arrested Saturday on a charge of felony child neglect for failing to protect the girl visiting his home Dec. 16, according to an arrest report. The Sheriff's Office redacted his address but has previously identified the location of the party as 1070 E Sandy Lane, Beverly Hills.

Citrus County Sheriff's deputies have already arrested three young men on charges of sexual battery in connection with the party. The Sheriff's Office says each of the men engaged in coerced sex acts with the girl. Two of the rape suspects are juveniles and the third has been identified as John Summers, 20, of Beverly Hills.

Investigators have said the party was held by the Modules gang, a somewhat loosely knit group of young people that has been linked to other crimes but has disbanded since the latest arrests.

The latest arrest report indicates that as many as 30 people attended the party where the alleged rape occurred, and says it was Sherouse's residence. And it says that several people were drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana during the party.

It cites Sherouse for failing to "provide adequate care, supervision, and services to maintain the child's physical and mental health."

Sherouse was initially booked into the Citrus County Detention Facility on $10,000 bail.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright