Suspect in Attempted Rape at Knifepoint at Grossmont College to Stand Trial

A man accused of forcing an 18-year-old student into her car at knifepoint in a Grossmont College parking garage must stand trial on a charge of assault with intent to commit rape, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Deputy District Attorney Nicole Roth alleges that the victim was leaning into her car shortly before 11:30 a.m. Oct. 22 at the western El Cajon campus when Anthony Jerome Washington Jr., 26, forced her into the vehicle.

Roth alleges that Washington had gone to the college with the specific purpose of "taking sex."

As the woman struggled to free herself, a passerby saw what was happening and honked his car horn until the assailant ran off, according to San Diego County sheriff's Sgt. Vic Perry.

Deputies assigned to patrol the college then searched the campus, found a man matching the description of the attacker nearby and took Washington into custody.

After being arrested, Washington allegedly confessed that he had planned to rape the student "and do whatever he had to in order to get his way," the sergeant said. He pleaded not guilty in October.

Judge Daniel Goldstein ruled that enough evidence was presented at Wednesday's preliminary hearing for Washington to proceed to trial on Feb. 3. A readiness conference was set for Jan. 15.

-City News Service