Man sentenced for string of sexual assaults, kidnappings

Three women came forward to tell of their ordeals

A 22-year-old Bay Village man was sentenced on Nov. 14 to 17 years in prison after he was convicted of multiple counts of kidnapping and sexually assaulting three woman in his house.

A Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court jury found Yohann Palmer-Tesema guilty Nov. 7 of the crimes, according to a news release from the Bay Village Police Department.

Common Pleas Court Judge Pamela Barker presided over the case and sentenced Palmer-Tesema.

The investigation began Nov. 24, 2017 when Bay Village police received information that Palmer-Tesema sexually assaulted a young woman at his residence after leaving with her from the West End Tavern, the release said.

Palmer-Tesema got into the victim’s Uber, which was supposed to have taken her home.

However, the Uber was redirected by Palmer-Tesema to his residence, according to the release.

The next morning, the victim awoke in PalmerTesema’s bed and realized she had been sexually assaulted, the release said.

However, she had little recollection of the previous evening, including having no knowledge of who she was with, where she was at or how she had arrived, according to the release.

While this initial investigation was ongoing, a second young woman reported she was sexually assaulted by Palmer-Tesema on Jan. 17, 2018, the release said.

The victim was friends with Palmer-Tesema and ended up spending the night at his residence after a night of drinking.

After falling asleep, the victim awoke to Palmer-Tesema sexually assaulting her, according to the release.

Despite the victim verbally and physically resisting Palmer-Tesema, he continued to assault her.

The victim passed out during the assault, according to the release.

While investigating the first two allegations of sexual assaults, a third young woman came forward reporting she was sexually assaulted by Palmer-Tesema, the release said.

The victim also was also friend of Palmer-Tesema, who along with others, spent the night at his home after a night of drinking.

The victim woke up while Palmer-Tesema was sexually assaulting her, but she quickly passed back out during the assault, according to the release.

The investigation included surveillance video from the bar, witness statements and forensic evidence.

Palmer-Tesema was arrested Feb. 21, 2018, and was later indicted by a Cuyahoga County grand jury on multiple counts of rape and kidnapping.

The Bay Village police respects the courage and fortitude these women presented in coming forward and speaking out against this sexual predator, the release said.

The Bay Village police respects the courage and fortitude these women presented in coming forward and speaking out against this sexual predator, the release said.