Lorain/Elyria, OH
Plas facing 17 charges for park attack
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He’s charged with attempted murder, attempted rape in Metro Park incident
ELYRIA — A county grand jury slammed the man accused of kidnapping, shooting and trying to rape a hiker earlier this month with a 17-count indictment Thursday.
The charges could send Matthew Plas, 25, to prison for more than 50 years.
Plas is charged with attempted rape, tampering with evidence, gross sexual imposition, having weapons under disability, carrying a concealed weapon, five counts of kidnapping, three counts of aggravated robbery and two counts each of attempted murder and felonious assault. Several of the charges carry gun and sexual motivation specifications that could add mandatory prison time to Plas’ sentence if he’s convicted.
Plas is accused of grabbing Shawn Stevens of Carlisle Township as she hiked in the Carlisle Reservation on May 6, shooting her, stuffing her in the trunk of her car and speeding away from a pair of witnesses at 100 mph. Lorain County Metro Parks rangers arrested Plas after he allegedly dumped Stevens, 43, behind a closed carpet business on Oberlin-Elyria Road and fled into the woods.
Stevens’ family has said the mother of three is paralyzed from the waist down because the bullet severed her spine. The family has set up the Shawn Stevens Fund at Fifth Third Bank.
While The Chronicle does not normally name victims of sexual assaults, the family asked that Stevens name be made public in light of the fund that has been set up for her.
Kenneth Lieux, Plas’ attorney, said prosecutors appear to have thrown every charge they could think of at his client.
“It’s a bit overkill. They can do it, and I understand why they do it,” he said. “I’m sure because this case has engendered a fair amount of publicity they’re leaving no stone unturned.”
Lieux said because Plas was indicted before a preliminary hearing could be held on the allegations against him in Elyria Municipal Court, he knows little about the case police and prosecutors have built.
If the preliminary hearing had gone forward, he said, police would have had to lay out some of their case, but now he’ll have to wait for prosecutors to provide details of the allegations against Plas.
County Prosecutor Dennis Will said the investigation continues and that additional charges are possible. He said his office plans to push for a lengthy prison term for Plas.
“In your career, there are things that you say are a horrendous type of case, and I think this falls into that category,” he said.
Sheriff’s Capt. Richard Resendez said the gun from the incident hasn’t been recovered, and the bullet has not been removed from the victim’s body.
Stevens continues to recover at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland and will soon be ready to begin her rehabilitation, according to family.
Contact Brad Dicken at 329-7147 or bdicken@chroniclet.com.
Contact Stephen Szucs at 329-7129 or sszucs@chroniclet.com.
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Finally a prosecutor that is worthy of his office! This Matthew Plas needs to be put away for a long time, before he kills somebody. Usually these criminals get a slap on the wrist and then let go. The country needs more prosecutors like Mr. Will. I am praying that Shawn Stevens heals and she and her family don’t let this horrific crime ruin the rest of there lives.
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Good! Lock him up! He doesn’t deserve to see the light of day, after what he did to that woman! Absolutely sickening!
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Let’s see, a woman will have to live paralyzed for the rest of her life. The creature who shot her may be sentenced to 50 years of three meals a day, a job, chances to improve his education, television, radio, a DVD(?) and being able to walk. Watched an episode of Parole Board the other night. A rapist on there said if he had to remain in prison, it’s okay with him because it’s not that bad. You could tell he meant it. If I could determine the fate of Plas, he would swear to his God he entered hell. He would be swearing for a long time.
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You know….I’m having a real hard time with this. I happen to be Matthew Plas’ aunt and this is killing me inside. I am not condoning what he ALLEGEDLY did, however, I know this man. He is NOT like this at all! He is a good man and a good husband, father and a good son and brother. If this is true….something happened inside him that is not normal at all. Trust me…I feel nothing but sympathy for the victim and her family. I’m not taking anything away from them at all. I pray for her and her family everyday as well. It just hurts my heart to hear people talk as though he is some kind of sick killer!! HE’S NOT!!!!! He deserves a FAIR trial and you people are giving him your worst opinion ever! Please try to think of HIS family as well when you write the HORRIBLE things that you write about him. He is loved too….sorry if that offends you, but what people are saying about him offends me. Innocent until proven guilty….remember that folks! Thank you.
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Kudos to Dennis Will — I am glad this victim has him to stand up for her!! I am going to be sure to remember him come re election time!!!
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HE IS A SICK ANIMAL!!! PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!!! INNOCENT UNTIL GUILTY……CMON, ARE YOU THAT STUPID!!! WHAT IS HE INNOCENT OF? HE MAY USED TO BE THIS ALL NICE AND LOVING PERSON BUT NOW HE CROSSED THE LINE, DIDN”T HE? HATS OFF TO DENNIS WILL!!!!! GO AFTER SCUM LIKE THIS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE HE IS WORTHLESS!!! HOPE HE GETS A NICE CELL WITH BUBBA!
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The fourth paragraph indicates that Plas was speeding at 100mph. How does the reporter know this? Did a police officer clock him going this fast? If so how come the police did not pull him over?
If Plas is found guilty, he should be shot, raped, stuffed into a trunk and left to die in a jail cell for the rest of his life.
Missy, I will not say anything bad about Plas until after he is found guilty but if my nephew was accused of something like this, I surely would not write some lame comment on the message board. Don’t worry, your family has retained one of the best lawyers in Lorain county and Lieux will be sure that his client receives a fair trial.
Lastly, to all you Dennis Will lovers, stop sucking up to your boss and if he is not your boss then you are ignorant. Will is doing his job and I would expect nothing less. Will is a loser.
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Mr. Ben Dover….say what you will…but have you ever said your name out loud??? I think I would write a fake name before you start calling people stupid..did you get that nickname in prison yourself sir???
And to ohmutt…..I don’t find my comment lame…..if it was your family…I’m pretty sure you would feel differently….but thanks for the “nice” things you had to say.
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Oh, we will say what we will… it is FREEDOM OF SPEECH!! Obviously your in denial, I guess that would be expected by anyone in your shoes, but PLEASE don’t try to paint this innocent, all loving caring person, he is now a savage, a brutal visicious attack on an innocent human being. WAKE UP!!
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Missy, I’m sorry for you’re family too. You never really know people I guess. If his is found guilty this will look very poorly for you’re family, which maybe a group of fine outstanding citizens.
But there is a woman in the hospital who needs justice and I hope she gets every bit of it. I hope she can turn this into a positive, maybe speaking out about public saftey in our parks and even on our streets.
My prayers are with both families.
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to anyone out there talking about matt, i have one thing to add….as some one who knows him, he is nuts and he is nothing but a ruthless, heartless, sicko, who should be sent to jail without any type of remorse…he is some one that i have had the misfortune of kowing during my life tme and i would not wish his mear presence on to anyone. as far as the comment that was made by ben dover, about him being in a cell with bubba, i see where you are coming from and i agree with you 100% except that i would feel bad for the bunk mate that he does recieve…as far as the “i am praying for her and her family” thing that missy said…get over it, you are exactully like every one else in that family, you do as you wish and you say what you want to say and to hell with anyone elses family…if i was related to that young lady who now sits there hurt, helpless and effected by this for the rest of my life, i would tell you right where to stick your self pitty for your family, while throwing in that you are feeling bad for me, right up your……your people and your false simpathy mean nothing to her and her family…..deal with the fact that you are related to that sicko and leave everyone else to their opinins….your opinions and your feelings at this point mean as much to her and her family as her feelings met to matt that day, as he shot that poor women in the back and took her very life that she knew and enjoyed away from her….NOTHING!!!!!!!! now with that said, here is my opinion… i feel that he should rot in a cell, where he is unable to hurt anyone else and he should have to live his life just as she has now has to do, in a wheel chair, helpless to change the fact that the reckless actions of this so called “person” has taken her abiliy to live the way she has always done before.
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Plas’ aunt indicates that he is a good father. I hope social services has been contacted for the sake of his child/children. If Plas is guilty of raping this woman, God only knows what he was doing with his own child/children.
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Mr. Plas was reported to be under a restraining order until the year 2011 for domestic violence which included holding a weapon to his wife ???? I am taking it they got a babysitter before this event happened so that he could continue to be called a *good father* ???
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Plas’ aunt also indicates “He is a good man and a good husband”, well if what “justsaying” is true that Matt Plas “was reported to be under a restraining order until the year 2011 for domestic violence which included holding a weapon to his wife” I must be a poor husband because I have never held a weapon to my wife. or even engaged in domestic violence toward my wife.
Auntie Missy think Matt might have had the family members fooled.
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Ok everyone….I said what I had to say….I’m done….I refuse to have a war of wits with unarmed people
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MISSY - I really can’t stand people like you. Folks whose relative does something this horrendous and they stand behind them like a saint was assassinated. Your freak of a nephew is NO GOOD. He will be found guilty because he is guilty. So are you. You’re complacent in the crime by moaning nonsense that “he’s not like this”. HE DID IT! How is he not like this?
Attacking BEN DOVER (cool nick by the way) for his choice of nickname is pointless and has nothing to do with your sick nephew. You debate like a child. Click on my real name and it will take you to my website. I don’t hide, but I also don’t blame people who use nicknames on the internet. There’s too many sick people like your nephew to worry about.
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your nephew sucks! My husband served 8 yrs in mansfield max penn. Oh guess what they will do 2 your nephew everyday hes in there? Ya think the CO’s care? Nope Justice Served! I looked his records up..heis not a loving husband or father…looks to me like hes a heroin junkie and a wife beater. He deserves to die so we dont have to feed him the next 50 yrs and we can pay for gas so we can get to work like NORMAL people do! Most guys that rape have usually had something happen to them in their childhood so someone else in your family is also sick in the head. And i realy dont think you feel bad for your nephew i think your just embarrased and ashamed. Keep it real honey! everyones got some sorta loser in their family! yours just happens to be worse!
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Good father, good husband, good person…?
Simply go to Elyria Municipal Court’s website and search this sick bast**d. He’s got a record like no other.
He is a worthless piece of garbage, who deserves to be locked up for the rest of this life. He deserves NO remorse!
My prayers are with HER family! God bless them!
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Ohh and…
“innocent until proven guilty,” you say Missy.
Apparently you haven’t watched his arraignment video. He states exactly this…
“I dont know what to say your honor. I know I done a very stupid thing that I don’t remember happen….” (Thats where he was cut off by the judge…)
So know your sh*t before you come on here and attempt to make your sick, demented nephew look like a “good person” He admitted he DID IT. So suck it up!
Welcome to the real world. What he did is NOT okay, regardless of what you’d like to think!
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Missy,
Maybe you should hire a lawyer for your nephew, after all he is family.
You could refinance your house and hire one since you feel he is innocent.
Don’t worry cause after he is convicted….eh hem….I mean IF he is convicted you can send him money every week so he can go to the commissary and buy some goodies.
I do have one question though….
Why would you allow your nephew to be homeless and live in his car?
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AS a person who had a family member do something along these lines I can speak with a clear head.
As a family memeber you are shocked, fooled, dis-believed, and stunded. You want to remember the little boy he was. You also want to not be seen, have a hard time in public and always wonder what really happened to the person you know.
As the public, you want to rip him to peices, make him pay and that is normal. I feel the same way.
In general, the boy is guilty he said so himself. Time to put all the time and energy into the person who needs the most, Shawn.
She needs help in every form and so does her family. She is who needs justice not us. I know that you can make a donation at First Merit Bank, even $1.00 would help if that is all you have. If you are a friend or family member, make sure the kids have what they need. These are the things that need to be done.
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I am sorry it is Fifth Third Bank, NOT First Merit.
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i do feel sorry for matthew plas wife and kids. what are you gonna tell your kids when they ask “where is my dad?” i was really pissed off when he said in court he lives with ….uuummmm my wife and uuummm children! like he said it so the judge would feel like hes this poor father and husband. they are also gonna suffer! do u think of that missy? why dont you try spendin your time helpin them inocent kids, and not worry about matthew!
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and also missy ALLEGEDLY did watch youtube and surf the web….LMAO he is totally caught! How much more proof do u need?
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This is a horrible situation for everyone. My prayers go out to ALL, even the people that now look over their shoulders while out hiking.
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you know we all have been ripping matt apart but he deserves it.Nobody has said that the ones who need the most ripping is the court system for putting garbage like this back on the streets so the next victim can be raped or murdered or robbed.That is the problem with the U.S today,all the goverment wants is money and they dont care how they get it. they leave people on death row for years and we have to pay for them,why dont they just kill them and make room for people like matt so this stuff doesn’t happen anymore. shawn would be walking with her family and not having nightmares of what was probably a nice day before she ran into the monster that should have been locked up for domestic violence and all the other crimes that they let him go for!!
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