NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
A convicted felon and parolee is accused of attacking and attempting to rape a woman at a hotel near downtown Nashville early Friday morning.
The 42-year-old victim, who was in Nashville from East Tennessee to attend a conference, was attacked as she walked in a hallway from her room to the elevator at the Best Western hotel at 1407 Division St.
The suspect, later identified as Harold Eugene Johnson, 38, dragged her into a maintenance room where he attempted to rob and rape her while repeatedly striking her in the face.
The victim fought and screamed, attracting the attention of two hotel employees. One of them entered the maintenance room, causing Johnson to run.
The woman was taken to a local hospital for treatment of her facial injuries. She was later released.
Police went to Johnson's last known residence on 14th Avenue South, about two blocks from the hotel. They found Johnson hiding inside an automobile in the driveway that was shielded by a car cover.
Johnson was wearing the same clothing as described by the victim. He acknowledged to police that he tried to rob the victim. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.
Previous Arrests
Records reflect that Johnson was convicted of two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of attempted aggravated robbery in 2006. Sentences of 10 years, 10 years and six years were ruled to run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of 10 years.
Johnson was paroled and registered with the Nashville Police Department as an ex-convict in October 2010.
Johnson was also convicted of robbery in 2001 and sentenced to five years in that case.
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