YOUNGSTOWN — The man accused of raping a Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office deputy in the county jail is being held without bond on charges of rape, kidnapping and assault until a judge decides whether to set bail.

Rondell Harris, 33, of the Cleveland area, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to two counts of rape, two counts of kidnapping and one count each of felonious assault and assault in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. He also pleaded not guilty to specifications accusing him of being a sexually violent predator.

The charges accuse Harris of raping a female deputy who works as a corrections officer May 5 in the Mahoning County jail. Officials have said officers at the jail were checking on Harris in the medical housing unit when they discovered that a sexual assault had just occurred.

The rape charges allege Harris compelled the woman to submit to the rape by force or threat of force. The felonious assault charge alleges that Harris caused serious physical harm to the woman.

The charges and specifications together could result in a prison sentence of more than 50 years if Harris is convicted.

Three assistant Mahoning County prosecutors filed a motion Monday asking Judge Anthony D’Apolito, who will preside over the case, to order Harris held in jail without bond eligibility until the case is over.

“The victim is a law enforcement officer, and this incident occurred while defendant was already incarcerated,” the filing states.

The motion notes when Harris allegedly committed the offenses he was on probation after serving a sentence for carrying concealed weapons. “He is a registered Tier 1 offender,” it adds.

Harris’ criminal history began when he was a juvenile and “includes numerous felony convictions in multiple jurisdictions,” the filing states. It asks D’Apolito to hold a hearing, when evidence would be presented in order to “demonstrate the need for this court to hold” Harris without bail.

A date for the hearing has not been set. Harris was transferred to the Trumbull County Jail after the accusations, but it is unclear where he is being held now.

erunyan@vindy.com