A man extradited from Oklahoma City, on Feb. 19, was indicted Friday afternoon by a Scioto County grand jury on a charge of rape by force of a child, a first-degree felony.

James Hendrickson, 37, of 800 Lexington Ave., Norman, Okla., was the subject of the indictment.

"He was really indicted last Friday (Feb. 22), but the indictment was filed today," said Scioto County prosecutor Mark Kuhn. "Count one of the indictment is for rape of a person under 13 years of age, and compelled by force; count two, gross sexual imposition; count three, gross sexual imposition; and count four, gross sexual imposition."

Kuhn said Hendrickson made an appearance in Portsmouth Municipal Court on Friday morning, but did not know the result of that appearance.

"I know we filed the indictment, so I assume he will be discharged down there, and he will be held on the indictment," he said. "Typically, when an indictment is filed before the case is bound over, the indictment is what stands for the charges as opposed to the affidavit from municipal court."

According to a spokesman at Scioto County Jail, at his appearance in municipal court today, a felony-one rape charge was dismissed. Hendrickson was indicted by a Scioto County grand jury, and he was returned to Scioto County Jail with no bond being set.

After receiving the original complaint, Portsmouth police officers began a search for Hendrickson.

"The offense occurred on Nov. 12, 2007," said Portsmouth Police Chief Charles Horner. "He obviously left the area, but we found out he was in Oklahoma City. So they picked him up for us, and we sent the two officers there and they extradited him."

On Feb. 20, Hendrickson made his first appearance in Portsmouth Municipal Court, where he was arraigned and his bond was set at $100,000. However, after Friday afternoon's court appearance, he was being held without bond.

FRANK LEWIS can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.