Naked suspect accused of sexually assaulting multiple women

ICN file photo

Tennis

​A Terre Haute man is facing multiple sexual assault--related charges -- including attempted rape  -- after officials say he attacked and threatened several victims at a senior living community last week.

David J Tennis, 67, was booked into the Vigo County Jail at about 3:45 p.m. yesterday. 

Tennis is charged with the following felonies: 

• Four counts of attempted rape
• Five  counts of sexual battery
• Two  counts of burglary
• One misdemeanor count of battery resulting in moderate bodily injury
• One felony count of battery against a public safety official
• One count of  criminal confinement
• Two counts of residential entry
• One  count of  strangulation

Tennis is charged with the following misdemeanors:

• One  count of public indecency
• One county of criminal mischief
• One  count of nterfering with the reporting of a crime
• Eight counts of battery with bodily injury

Terre Haute Police Department officers were dispatched to Fourth Street and College Avenue Dec. 13 on a report of an "out of control" naked man who had broken into the property located  on the southwest side of the city. 

According to court documents, Tennis allegedly broke into two separate units in the building, without wearing any clothing. One resident said he strangled her upon entering. Other women victims alleged he forced himself on them sexually and detailed the abuse incidents.

​One victim alleged Tennis threatened to kill her if she didn't perform oral sex on him. He also allegedly threatened another victim while trying to remove her clothing, verbally threatening her, "I'm going to F --- you."

Two victims alleged Tennis attempted to force his penis in their mouths. One victim specified that the suspect "grabbed her head, pulling it to his exposed penis,"according to the documents.

Several of the victims alleged he forced them to submit to touching of a sexual nature with other victims and also to touch him.  One victim claimed she was approached by the naked suspect and he was "grabbing her breast and attempting to lift her shirt." He was allegedly saying he was going to ejaculate in her mouth. 

Sgt. Denzil Lewis explained today that responding officers quickly located Tennis and placed him into custody, adding that several victims had alleged they'd been attacked by the suspect at the scene. Tennis was initially transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation pending further action by the Vigo County Prosecutor's Office before his incarceration yesterday.