Indiana man convicted of rape of Missouri woman while intoxicated

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - An Indiana man could spend the next 7 years behind bars in Missouri after he was found guilty of a 2021 rape.

The Platte County, Missouri, Prosecutor’s Office announced on Thursday, May 22, that Christopher J. Heath, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been convicted of rape. He was found guilty by a jury of his peers at the end of a 4-day trial.

Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said, “Having sex with someone who is unable to consent is a crime. This victim had the courage to speak out, and the jury answered her call for help.”

At trial, prosecutors indicated that they were able to prove the victim, Heath, and a group of several others had gone to a winery and bar on May 14, 2021. When the victim returned to her step-mother’s house, she eventually went to bed in an upstairs room. She was found sleeping heavily by family .

Investigators noted that the victim later awoke to Heath asking if she knew who he was while he was on top of her, forcing himself on her. She was able to get away and lock herself in another bedroom for the rest of the night. The crime was reported the next day.

Law enforcement officials said Heath’s DNA was found on sheets taken from the victim’s bed. He now faces up to 7 years in prison. As of Thursday, he remains behind bars on a $100,000 bond.

A sentencing hearing has been set for Aug. 8.

Zahnd said, “While DNA helped prove this defendant was in the victim’s bed, this case turned on the victim’s compelling testimony. Sex crimes happen behind closed doors, and this jury believed the victim when she told them the truth about what happened to her.”

The case was investigated by the Platte County Sheriff’s Office and tried by Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Justin Kalwei and Lynette Lockhart. No further information has been released.

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