CHICAGO – A Gary man has been charged with rape and kidnapping after he abducted a father and daughter at gunpoint from the home where Michael Jackson grew up earlier this month.

Lake County prosecutors said a man and his 16-year-old daughter visited the singer’s former home in the 2300 block of Jackson Street in Gary on August 9.

The victims were approached by a man later identified as Oasia Barnes. He allegedly pointed a gun at the girl’s ribs and demanded money.

Prosecutors said the father gave Barnes $300 from his wallet. Barnes then told them he wanted a ride. The man offered Barnes his car, but he instead told the father he wanted to have sex with the girl. Barnes allegedly told the victim she was pretty and he would “make love to her.”

Barnes threatened to shoot the father and his daughter if he didn’t do what he said. Barnes got in the back seat at gunpoint and held the girl. The father begged Barnes to stop, but he kept threatening to shoot them if he didn’t drive.

Prosecutors said Barnes instructed the father to drive into an alley behind an abandoned house. Barnes told them he wanted to watch the victims “do sexual things.” The girl said she didn’t want to do that. Barnes got the girl out of the car and instructed the father to stay in the car.

The victim told police he considered running Barnes over with his car, but he didn’t want to hurt his daughter. When Barnes and the girl were out of sight of the car, he ran to a nearby residence and called 911.

Gary Police officers received a complaint about people sitting behind a home at 2228 Washington Street. When the officer arrived, he found the girl and Barnes sitting in a basement stairwell. The victim told the officer she had been kidnapped.

Barnes was arrested and the officer found a black Taurus pistol on him.

The girl told police that Barnes forced her to perform oral sex at gunpoint. He also forced her to touch him and tell him she loved him. He then forced her to walk around the neighborhood while telling passersby that she was his new girlfriend.

Barnes was charged with 17 crimes, including rape, kidnapping and false imprisonment.

“I am devastated by this horrific act and my sincere condolences go out to the victim and his family,” said Gary Mayor Eddie Melton. “As mayor, my number one goal is to make Gary a safe place for everyone. This isolated incident does not reflect who we are as a community.”