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John H. Holmes, 40, of the 200 block of Northampton Street, was charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault, terroristic threats, criminal restraint, theft, and weapons offenses, Warren County Prosecutor James Pfeiffer said in a release on Friday, Feb. 3.
The woman had just gotten off of a bus in Easton when Holmes approached her and started following her across the Northampton Street Bridge toward Union Square in Phillipsburg on Sept. 27, 2021, investigators allege.
Once the woman crossed the bridge, Holmes attacked her in an alleyway, held a knife to her throat, and told her that he wouldn’t hurt her as long as she stayed quiet — he then sexually assaulted her, investigators said.
During the assault, investigators say she dropped her purse, which was later found with about $80 cash missing.
Afterward, the woman ran to a nearby neighborhood and was able to contact law enforcement.
Holmes was ultimately linked to the assaults via DNA evidence, Pfeiffer said.
He was arrested in Easton and was being held in Northampton County Prison pending extradition to New Jersey.
Assisting agencies include the WCPO Special Victim's Unit, Phillipsburg Police Department, the New Jersey State Police Fugitive Unit, US Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, US Marshals Service Eastern District of Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force and the Easton Police Department Criminal Investigation Division.
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