An Ohio Grand Jury handed down the indictments yesterday. Marina Lonina, 18, and Raymond Gates, 29, each face one count of kidnapping, two counts of rape, one count of sexual battery, and three counts of pandering sexually-oriented material involving a minor.
Lonina faces two additional counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance. It is alleged she had taken nude pictures of the girl the day before.
According to Ron O’Brien, prosecutor for Franklin County, the alleged rape occurred in a Columbus home on Feb. 27. Lonina, Gates and a 17-year-old girl were in the home when at some point Gates raped the 17-year-old. After the rape began, it is alleged Lonina took out her phone and live-streamed the attack using the Periscope app. According to the indictment, the three of them had been drinking and the victim’s ability to resist or consent was seriously impaired. The victim can be heard on the Periscope video saying “no” and “it hurts.”
A friend of Lonina’s who lives in another state saw the stream and notified police.
WBNS reports Lonina was arrested yesterday at New Albany High School in Columbus where she is a student and local residents were shocked at what happened. The parent of another student, Dawndie Smith, referred to the incident as “not human.” Smith described recording of the alleged rape as “vile” and said it was unfathomable Lonina did not freak out and attempt to stop what was happening rather than film it.
Lonina is not the first person to be arrested as a result live-streaming what they were doing. A Florida woman was arrested and charged with DUI after live-streaming her drunk driving on Periscope.
Gates was arrested earlier this month and is scheduled to be arraigned Friday. According to the prosecutor, if convicted both Lonina and Gates could be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison.
