Man indicted in sex attacks on bicyclist, jogger

Erica D. Johnson

Monday, Aug. 4, 2003 | 9:18 a.m.

A Clark County grand jury on Friday indicted a local man on multiple felony charges in the sexual assault of a jogger and a bicyclist.

An indictment unsealed before District Judge Gene Porter charges William Whitehead with nine criminal counts, including sexual assault, first-degree kidnapping and open and gross lewdness in the July 20 attacks.

Whitehead, 23, is being held at the Clark County Detention Center with bail set at $1 million. His attorney, Dan Silverstein, could not be reached for comment.

Porter set the bail after Chief Deputy District Attorney Lisa Luzaich argued that a high bail was the only way to keep other women in the community safe.

"The defendant is a significant danger to the community," she said. "Had he not been arrested I expect he would be out further trying to find victims."

According to court records, a woman was riding her bike in the 9600 block of Spring Mountain Road when a silver Hyundai hit her from behind and knocked her down.

Police say Whitehead attacked the woman and tried to force her into the trunk of his car.

"He had opened the trunk before he got to her," Luzaich said. She said Whitehead groped and fondled the jogger, who fought him off.

"Within minutes he approached the second victim," the prosecutor said.

The second woman was jogging in The Lakes area, near Durango Drive and Desert Inn Road, and stopped his car, almost hitting her, police said.

Prosecutors allege Whitehead shouted for the woman to stop, and when she didn't he chased her, fondled her and tried to throw her into his trunk as well.

The commotion caught the attention of people living in the area. Realizing that people were watching, police said, the suspect drove off.

Luzaich said both women were successful in fighting off their attacker. One woman's clothes were torn in the struggle, she said.

"They both fought and were able to get away," she said.

According to police reports, Whitehead admitted to attacking both women and said he didn't know why he did it.

Whitehead is scheduled to be arraigned before District Judge Joseph Bonaventure on Aug. 7.