Party officer, husband accused in sex assault

DURHAM -- Investigators think Joy Suzanne Johnson, third vice-chairwoman of the Durham County Democratic Party, not only knew about her husband's alleged misdeeds, but was there when they happened.

According to arrest warrants, Johnson knew "beforehand that he was planning to sexual assault the victim ... and [she was] standing by and watching as the victim was being raped."

Johnson, 30, faces two counts of aiding and abetting. Her husband, Joseph Scott Craig, 25, is charged with second-degree rape, second-degree kidnapping and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. Both suspects, who live on Albany Street, remained at the Durham County jail on Saturday; Johnson in lieu of $270,000 bail and Craig in lieu of $590,000 bail.

Sometime between Jan. 1 and Friday, Joseph Scott Craig is accused of using a wooden cane and a cable cord to beat a man, according to arrest warrants. Between May 1 and June 1, the warrants say, Craig assaulted a woman with a wooden cane and raped her.

It is unknown how Johnson's charges will affect her role with the party. Diana Palmer, first vice-chairwoman for the local Democrats, did not return a message seeking comment.

Johnson and Craig, along with Palmer, are partners of a company called Indigo Dawn. According to the company's Web site, Indigo Dawn offers products and services "to promote enlightenment and assist in the development of self-empowerment and divine potential."

Services include "intuitive guidance, past-life regression, spirit guide communication, and healing and cleansing."