CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The man wanted for the assault of a woman at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse Tuesday was arrested, authorities said. Now, he's also accused of sexually assaulting the woman he attacked.
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office said 24-year-old Devonte Johnson, who is a registered sex offender, assaulted a female employee around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. Investigators said the two individuals were known to each other.
The victim was struck several times in the head. She was treated by Medic at the courthouse. She suffered bruising and swelling to her face. Johnson was arrested by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday. CMPD confirmed in a news release on Wednesday Johnson is accused of sexually assaulting the victim in her office.
Johnson was charged with assault on a female, attempted second-degree forcible rape, attempted second-degree forcible sex offense, robbery, communicating threats, and first-degree kidnapping.
“It is very unfortunate that this happened, I am always grateful for the professionalism and response of our deputies," Sheriff Garry McFadden said in a statement. "Now our focus is on apprehending this suspect to prevent this from occurring again.”
Officials said he was not scheduled for an appointment at the courthouse Tuesday.
Records from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation show Johnson was convicted in 2021 for a second-degree forcible sexual offense that occurred in 2016 within Mecklenburg County.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.