Prisoner Gets 29-Year Sentence for Raping, Kidnapping 68-Year-Old Worker

Overview of the Case

In Jasper County, South Carolina, a 41-year-old man named Ahmad Rashad Bonds entered a guilty plea on July 22 for first-degree criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping. The victim was a 68-year-old commissary worker who was attacked while working in a prison’s storage area. Bonds had already been serving a 25-year sentence for previous crimes, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct, first-degree burglary, and armed robbery.

Details of the Attack

The attack occurred on March 6, 2019, when Bonds targeted a longtime prison employee. At the time, the woman had completed her shift but was still in the prison’s stockroom documenting damaged items. She was unaware that Bonds had entered the restricted area through an unlocked door.

According to Hunter Swanson, a representative from the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Bonds waited for an opportunity to attack. He struck the woman from behind while she was washing her hands in the restroom. Wearing a face covering, he pushed her to the floor and began his assault.

The Struggle and Escape

During the struggle, the woman managed to pull the face covering off Bonds’ face. As he dragged her down the hall, he threatened to kill her because she had seen his face. She tried to call for help, but Bonds intercepted her and beat her with the phone’s handset.

The woman then used a filing cabinet and table to block the storage room door. Despite this, Bonds attempted to gain access again. In a desperate move, she sprayed chemicals in his face, which allowed her to fight him off. Eventually, Bonds left the storage area and returned to his cell block for a 7 p.m. roll call.

Discovery and Aftermath

Two hours later, the woman was found and treated by a prison nurse before being taken to the hospital. The next day, she identified Bonds in a photo lineup and provided a detailed account of the assault. DNA collected during the sexual assault exam confirmed Bonds as the perpetrator.

Legal Proceedings

A jury had already been selected for Bonds’ trial, but no testimony had been heard when he decided to plead guilty on July 22, 2025. He received a 29-year sentence for both charges, with the sentences to be served concurrently. The sentencing was carried out by Circuit Court Judge Robert Bonds, who is not related to the defendant.

Institutional Response and Safety Measures

Following the incident, WTOC reached out to the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) to ask if such events prompted changes to prevent similar crimes. They also inquired about any modifications made at Ridgeland Correctional Institute since the attack.

SCDC responded that since 2019, they have received millions of dollars from the S.C. General Assembly to improve prison safety. Some of these initiatives include:

• A system to alert other prison workers if an employee is in trouble
• Updated walkie-talkies for better communication
• More cameras installed throughout the facilities
• Automated locking and door systems at certain prisons
• Additional training for staff

The agency emphasized its commitment to creating a safe work environment for staff and a secure living environment for inmates.