Sex offender has tongue bitten off
Posted: 06 Jun 2009 11:01 PM PDT

A registered sex offender from West Covina was being held without bail in Murrieta Saturday after having his tongue bitten off by a woman he allegedly sexually assaulted, authorities said.

Ronald Douglas McGowan Jr., 32, was booked on suspicion of rape and robbery Friday when he went to an emergency room for treatment, Murrieta police Sgt. Tony Conrad said.

According to state records, McGowan is a registered sex offender with previous convictions including rape and child molestation.

“I think she showed a lot of courage to fight back,” Conrad said.

In many cases when only property is at stake, police advise crime victims to comply with criminals, he said. “In this case, I think she was fighting to save her life.”
The attack was reported about 10:20 a.m. at an apartment in the 24800 block of Hancock Avenue in Murrieta, Conrad said.

“During the assault, it was determined the victim bit off the suspect’s tongue in an attempt to defend herself,” police said in a written statement. “The tongue was located at the scene by officers.”

Within an hour, McGowan arrived at an area emergency room and was arrested, Conrad said. Doctors could not reattach the tongue.