Trial Delayed for Alleged Rapist of Japanese Tourist

By Jim Stebinger

Friday, July 23--A Marina del Rey man accused of raping a Japanese tourist he met at the Third Street Promenade has been bound over for trial and faces a Superior Court arraignment Thursday, August 5, the district attorney's office said today.

Kevin Hugh Lewis, 41, has pleaded not guilty to one count each of forcible rape, use of drugs in commission of a rape and rape by penetration with a foreign object.

Lewis is a telecommunications salesman who traveled frequently to Japan and speaks Japanese. The alleged attack occurred May 22nd and Lewis was arrested on the 23rd following police interviews with the woman reporting the assault.

The 20-year-old woman was part of a tour group and had somehow been separated from the group while it visited the Santa Monica Promenade. Authorities allege that Lewis struck up a conversation with the woman and then invited her to dinner.

Lewis allegedly took the woman to his Marina del Rey home and then assaulted her. He then allegedly took the unidentified woman back to the Third Street Promenade and left her there.

At the promenade she called a taxi to take her to the Mayfair Hotel where she was staying. Because she appeared disoriented and ill she was taken to receive medical care.

The young woman has since returned to Japan. Authorities hope she will return to testify at the trial.

Lewis was originally ordered to pay $270,000 bail. His bail was reduced to $170,000 in return for the surrender of his passport.