3 held without bond in Veto sex assault

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Three men were arraigned for their alleged roles in a brutal break-in and rape at a southwest side Grand Rapids house early Monday.

Dorian Jones, Rederick Melton and Brandon Towns, were each officially charged with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual assault, four counts of armed robbery and one count of home invasion. Towns also faces an additional charge for being a fourth time habitual offender. Jones - who has prior record in Illinois - and Melton are each 20 years old, while Towns is 25.

They were all ordered held without bond by Judge Jeanine Laville .

James Edward Hodges, 19, of Grand Rapids surrendered himself at the Grand Rapids Police Department late Friday afternoon. He faces similar charges as the other three suspects. Hodges will be arraigned on June 11.

A fourth person is a 14-year-old who will be processed through the juvenile system.

During a press conference on Thursday, Grand Rapids police called them a "dangerous crew" and were looking to connect them to other crimes, including church break-ins.

The five suspects allegedly broke into a home on Veto Street, near the Grand Valley State University Pew Campus, hitting victims over the head with a weapon, tying them up, and then repeatedly raping a woman. They could each face up to life in prison if convicted.

Court records show four of the five suspects started participating in crime as juveniles, some as young as 14-years-old.

24 Hour News 8 found that Brandon Towns and Jason Hodges Jr. were raised in foster care, or by other relatives, because their moms were on drugs, and their dads were not involved.

The most serious criminal history belongs to Brandon Towns, who was sentenced to 3-15 years in prison in 2004 after having sex with a 12-year-old girl.

James Hodges, the suspect who is still on the loose, has been on the run before--skipping out on court when he was a juvenile for several months.

Melton's family was praying in court on Friday. They said they tried to raise "him" right--despite his criminal past.

Alice Johnson, the grandmother of suspect Rederick Melton, told 24 Hour News 8 she's in disbelief her grandson was involved in the brutal attack.

"I can't imagine that. He's a skinny kid. I can't imagine him doing anything that barbaric," said Johnson.

However, when asked what she would say to the victim if her grandson was involved in the crime, Johnson replied, "I'm very sorry that this happened to her because I have daughters as well and I wouldn't like anything like t his happening to my daughters."

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--- Brandon Towns, 25
Age at first arrest: 15 (assault)
Total prior arrests: 5
Prior prison time: 3-15 years for rape of 12 year old girl

--- Rederick Melton, 20
Age at first arrest: 14 (property crime)
Total prior arrests: 2

--- James Hodges Jr.
Age at first arrest: 16 (Burglary)
Total prior arrests: 2

--- Dorian Jacqwell Jones, 20
Prior in Illinois: Weapons
 
--- Fifth unidentified suspect, 14
Charges pending