More charges filed in alleged cult abuse case

Durham, N.C. — Police filed more charges Tuesday against a Durham accused of beating and raping people as part of a satanic cult.

Joseph Craig, 25, was charged with two counts of second-degree kidnapping and one count of second-degree forcible sexual offense. His wife, Joy Johnson, 30, was charged with felony aiding and abetting.

The couple was arrested last week after a man and a woman told police they were beaten, shackled to beds, kept in dog cages and starved inside a home on Albany Street.

Assistant Durham County District Attorney Mark McCullough said during a Monday bond hearing that the two people met Craig through a shared interest in Satan worship.

Craig was initially charged with kidnapping, rape and assault. Police said he beat a man with a cane and a cord and raped a woman.

Johnson was charged with aiding and abetting. Police said she watched as Craig committed the crimes.

Johnson resigned her positions as third vice-chair of the Durham County Democratic Party and vice-chair of the Young Democrats following her arrest.

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Latest Comments

Typical cops overstating the possible crime in order to come up with the most charges.

Timbo
July 2, 2008 11:22 a.m.

I have to agree with Mango. I read the article in the Herald-Sun and it sounds like Kink gone wrong.

While I think the "New Age" stuff is garbage, I doubt these people were in a Satanic cult. From what I can tell this is just a case of consenual BDSM session with two people new to the kink lifestyle.

Unfortunately, if that is the case the defendants should have been more selective of who they got invovled with.

stupiditydeservesnosympathy
July 2, 2008 10:56 a.m.

Yep, looks like we dems have the BDSM/satan worshipping vote all locked up now! Doh, pun, hah hah.

davido
July 2, 2008 10:45 a.m.

I suggest you all read a real news source like the Herald-Sun today for a factual update on this case -- it's looking more and more like the Satanic allegations are nothing but a bunch of hooey. The victim was "caged and starved" for all of.... three hours. This is looking more and more like BDSM gone wrong between people whose "satantic cult" connections are straight out of Wayne's World.

Which would make all of you very, very gullible.