Man charged with rape, kidnapping and domestic assault in Cape Girardeau County

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY, Mo., (KBSI) — A man faces four felony charges after he allegedly strangled and sexually assaulted a person inside a residence.

Blake Arthur Reese Grojean is charged with second-degree rape, second-degree sodomy, second-degree domestic assault and third-degree kidnapping, according to court documents filed Monday.

The alleged assault happened around 6 a.m. July 18.

According to a probable cause statement, the victim told police they awoke to find Grojean inside the bedroom. Grojean allegedly held the victim down, strangled them and sexually assaulted them despite repeated attempts to resist.

The victim eventually escaped into a bathroom with a cellphone and locked the door, court documents state. Grojean allegedly tried to enter the bathroom before leaving the residence.

An officer reported seeing red marks on both sides of the victim’s neck. The victim also reported bleeding and difficulty breathing following the assault.

Court documents state the victim told investigators that Grojean had previously been violent and that they feared he would return.

Information about Grojean’s arrest status or bond was not included in the probable cause statement.

The charges are accusations. Grojean is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.