Prisoner adds 29 years to existing 25-year sentence for raping, kidnapping 68-year-old commissary worker

JASPER COUNTY, SC (WTOC) - Ahmad Rashad Bonds (41) pleaded guilty on July 22 to first-degree criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping of a 68-year-old commissary worker, according to the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

Bonds was already serving a 25-year prison sentence at the Ridgeland Correctional Institute for first-degree criminal sexual conduct, first-degree burglary, and armed robbery when he attacked a longtime prison employee on March 6, 2019, as she was working in the prison’s storage area.

The commissary worker had finished her shift but was documenting some damaged items in the prison’s stockroom when Bonds snuck into the restricted area through an unlocked door.

“He waited for an opportunity to attack the victim, and he got his chance when she went to the restroom to wash her hands,” said Hunter Swanson of the 14thCircuit Solicitor’s Office, who prosecuted the case. “Wearing a face covering, he attacked her from behind, pushing her to the floor.”

The Solicitor’s Office says investigators with the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division documented blood smearing on the bathroom’s walls and floor.

During the struggle, the woman was able to pull Bonds’ face covering from his face. And, as he dragged her down the hall, he threatened to kill her since she had seen his face.

She attempted to call for help, but Bonds intercepted and beat the woman about the head with the phone’s handset.

The woman was finally able to push a filing cabinet and table against a storage room’s door, but Bonds again attempted to gain access.

This time, she fought him off by spraying chemicals in his face.

He eventually left the storage area to return to his cell block for a 7 p.m. roll call.

The woman was discovered about two hours later where she was treated by a prison nurse and later at the hospital.

The next day, the woman positively identified her attacker in a photo lineup and gave a detailed account of the assault.

DNA collected during the sexual assault exam came back to Bonds.

14th Circuit Solicitor's Office​

A jury had already been selected for Bonds’ trial but had yet to hear testimony when Bonds decided to enter a guilty plea on July 22, 2025.

Bonds received 29 years for both charges, with the sentences to be served concurrently.

Circuit Court Judge Robert Bonds handed down the sentence. The judge and the defendant are of no relation.