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LIVINGSTON COUNTY – The heavily tattooed and seemingly worn man who stands accused of an unthinkable armed kidnapping and rape of a woman who had a standing order of protection against him in York has rejected a plea offer Thursday morning from the Livingston County District Attorney’s Office and is getting ready to take one step closer to trial.
Charles Braun, 66, was offered 15 years in prison with 5 years post-release supervision by Assistant District Attorney Justin Hill, but indicated through his attorney John Darpino with the Public Defender’s Office that he is not admitting to the allegations today.
“Mr. Braun indicates that he is not in a position to accept the offer,” said Darpino. “We request an adjournment for a motion date.”
Braun is accused of kidnapping a woman who had a standing order of protection against him from her home in York, forcing her to drive to his apartment in Perry, and raping her. The victim was able to escape after he fell asleep, and she walked out of the front door to a neighbor’s house.
As the result of a disturbing investigation by multiple police agencies that spanned two counties, Braun is charged in Livingston County with Kidnapping in the Second Degree, a B felony, Criminal Use of a Firearm in the First Degree, a B felony, Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, and Menacing in the Second Degree, an A misdemeanor.
He is additionally charged in Wyoming County with Rape in the First Degree, a B violent felony, Criminal Use of a Firearm in the First Degree, a B violent felony, Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, a class E felony, and Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree, a class E felony.
Braun did prison time starting October 25, 1991 for Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a B felony, and had his parole consistently denied five times, every two years until his mandatory release by statute 2006, after which he violated parole and went back to prison for another year in 2012.
Braun was limping badly on his right leg, and it appeared painful for him to even get to and from the defense table.
PHOTO CAPTION: Charles Braun’s mugshot from DOCS in 2013. (Photo/13WHAM)