Matthew Robert Austin, an 18-year-old Oklahoma resident, is facing charges for two separate incidents. Austin was already under investigation for the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl when he was arrested in a different case. Authorities apprehended him near his ex-girlfriend’s residence, equipped with latex gloves and a painter’s mask in a Home Depot bag, allegedly intending to kill his ex-girlfriend and her mother.
The arrest was made by the Norman Police Department after several of Austin’s acquaintances reported his threats to harm his ex-girlfriend and her family. Upon his arrest on July 18, Austin was found in possession of a Home Depot bag containing latex gloves and a painter’s mask. He confessed to the threats and informed the officers about the ongoing investigation by the Moore Police Department regarding the alleged rape of a different 14-year-old girl.
Austin admitted to having sexual relations with the 14-year-old girl, but claimed he believed she was 19. The arrest warrant, dated August 1, reveals that the mother of the girl, identified as “TL” in the documents, had reported the rape to the Moore Police Department on July 14. She provided the police with text messages exchanged between Austin and her daughter.
According to the police, TL met Austin through church and exchanged numbers with him while dining at a restaurant where he worked. Austin allegedly told TL he was 16, despite being 18. TL reported that Austin visited her home in July, forced himself on her, and raped her. She also mentioned that Austin had asked her to keep their relationship a secret due to their age difference.
Local CBS affiliate KWTV reported that witnesses described Austin’s detailed plan to kill his ex-girlfriend and her mother. He allegedly told the witnesses that his ex-girlfriend was “ruining his life” and that he planned to stab them to prevent them from screaming. The witnesses alerted the Norman Police, who apprehended Austin shortly after.
Austin was taken into custody and charged with planning acts of violence and possession of marijuana. His bond for the rape charge was set at $400,000, while the bond for the violence and possession charges was set at $25,000. He also faces charges for devising a plan to cause serious bodily harm or death and intimidating or threatening a state witness, with a bond of $5,000 for each count.