photo by: Mike Yoder

The Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, 111 E. 11th St.

A Lawrence man has been charged with a rape that allegedly occurred over the weekend.

Perry L. Oatis, 54, was arrested early Monday morning in the 2300 block of Ousdahl Road, according to jail records.

He was charged Tuesday with rape, a felony, for alleged intercourse with a 34-year-old victim who was unconscious or physically powerless, according to the complaint filed in Douglas County District Court. The crime allegedly occurred between Sunday and Monday.

Lawrence police were called to the 2400 block of Ousdahl Road early Monday morning “in reference to a sex crime that just occurred,” and a suspect was arrested, Officer Shawn Gross said in an email. He declined to provide additional details about the incident.

Oatis made his first appearance in court on the case Tuesday afternoon, via video from the jail. Judge James George set his bond at $100,000.

Oatis asked for a lower bond so he could continue working, saying, “I’m just trying to keep my job whatever the outcome of this.” He did not say where he worked but said he’d been in the community 50 years and wasn’t a flight risk.

George denied his request, emphasizing the severity of the charge of rape and potential prison time if convicted.

Oatis also is charged in a pending misdemeanor case. Prosecutor C.J. Rieg said the alleged new crime occurred while he was out on bond in that case and that Oatis had also failed to appear at court hearings in the past.

The Journal-World requested Oatis’ mugshot from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office but did not immediately receive a response on whether it would be released.