Saturday, September 27, 1997
Two men indicted for rape
By ANTHONY WILSON / Abilene Reporter-News
LUBBOCK -- Federal grand jurors have indicted two accused rapists,
one a trucker who allegedly held his victim captive during a cross-country
trip and the other a Big Spring officer charged with sexually
assaulting an inmate.
Earlier this week, the grand jury indicted Kenneth Earl Eller
on one count of kidnapping and Darren Humphries for aggravated
sexual assault. If convicted, both defendants could face life
behind bars.
Eller's alleged crime made headlines following his June arrest
in Roscoe.
His 38-year-old victim was rescued June 18 after a seven-day
ordeal when she dropped a plea for help, contained in her wallet,
on Interstate 20 near Odessa. A traveler found the wallet and
contacted the Department of Public Safety, which issued an all-points
bulletin.
State Trooper Rich Wiley and Roscoe Police Chief Brian Selke
spotted the truck hours later.
The victim was accompanying Eller on her first truck-driving
job, a round-trip from Birmingham, Ala., to California. On the
return trip to Alabama, Eller reportedly raped the woman and confined
her to the 18-wheeler's sleeping compartment, refusing to let
her leave.
The woman told police she was repeatedly raped and beaten during
the trip.
She managed to scribble a message about her plight -- including
a detailed description of the truck, its direction and destination
-- tucked it into her wallet and tossed it onto the highway.
Although law officers worried about "jurisdictional problems"
because the woman couldn't pinpoint the location of each assault,
the federal indictment resolves those concerns. It charges Eller,
45, with kidnapping the woman and carrying her across state lines.
The federal indictment also makes available federal officers
and their greater resources for the investigation.
At the time of the incident, Eller, of Boaz, Ala., was wanted
for a parole violation in connection with a drug conviction. His
employer, Southern Cal Trucking Co., apparently was unaware of
his criminal record.
Humphries, a prison guard hired two years ago at the Federal
Correctional Institution in Big Spring, allegedly raped a male
inmate March 2 in one of the unit's dorm-style housing units.
A prison spokesman could offer only scant details of the crime,
saying no weapon was used in the alleged attack.
Humphries, free on bond, has been on paid leave since Aug.
22.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanya Pierce said a gag order prevented
her from discussing details of the case.
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Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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