Prosecutors recently charged an Oak Harbor man in a case that may be especially challenging because it involves an alleged victim with a stroke-induced brain injury.

Shawn Gibson, 42, pleaded not guilty in Island County Superior Court July 25 to unlawful imprisonment.

Gibson’s bail was originally set at an amazing $750,000 after he was arrested on more serious charges. Island County Superior Court Judge Vickie Churchill denied the defense’s request to lower the bail after Gibson was charged with unlawful imprisonment, which has a standard sentencing range of one to three months in jail.

Oak Harbor Police Detective Teri Gardner investigated the allegations, originally reported as a rape case. Gibson is accused of tying her up in a closet, the police reports states.

The alleged victim is a 37-year-old woman who suffered a stroke about eight months ago, which affected her left side and her brain, court documents state. She has some trouble communicating and possible diminished capacity, documents indicate.

Based on these limitations, Banks said prosecutors charged Gibson with what they believed could be proven with all available evidence and testimony. He added that the investigation is continuing and there is a possibility of additional charges.

The victim reported that she was driving around Oak Harbor in early July, looking for her temporary HUD housing when she became lost. She stopped at a house on SE Ely Street and a man named Jay offered her something to drink and allowed her to use the bathroom.

The victim claimed that the man grabbed her by the throat and pushed her into a room with a bed, Gardner wrote.

“When he was done with her,” the detective wrote, “he put her in a closet and tied her hands to the clothes rod and bound her with a green Army-style belt.”

The woman said her friend came to the house and rescued her. She had bruises on her arms and was transported to Island Hospital.

The woman was able to describe the assailant, Jay, and his home. Based on the information, detectives identified Gibson as the suspect and served a search warrant at his home July 15.

Gibson at first told detectives that “he knew nothing about Jay,” but later admitted that “everybody knows (him) as Jay.”

Gibson claimed that the victim knocked on his door one night and was crying, so he let her stay over one night.

Gibson’s criminal history includes theft, fourth-degree assault and DUI, Gardner wrote.