Laramie Man Pleads Not Guilty to Sexual Assault
A Laramie man accused of sexually assaulting a woman in October has pleaded not guilty in Albany County District Court.
The 25-year-old man will be tried on one count of first degree sexual assault and one count of kidnapping-confinement. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to life in prison.
According to court documents, a Laramie Police officer responded to a report of a possible sexual assault on Oct. 29, 2016 at 2:41 a.m. The officer made contact with the victim, who reported that while at the Ranger Bar, a man had forced himself on her and penetrated her with his penis.
The officer responded to the Ranger Bar and made contact with a mutual friend of the victim and the defendant. The friend identified the defendant.
A Laramie Investigation Division detective was called to assist in the investigation. The victim then reported to the detective and the officer that shortly after arriving at the Ranger Bar, she began talking to the defendant.
The defendant asked the victim if she wanted to go to “the after party” and she reluctantly agreed, according to the affidavit. He led her to another part of the building where she thought there was a Halloween party in the motel side of the Ranger.
The defendant escorted the victim into the bathroom and closed and locked the door. The victim asked the defendant to leave the room and stated that she did not want to be there any longer and the defendant told her she had to stay. The victim said she wanted to go back to her friends, court documents state.
According to court documents, the defendant forcibly restrained the victim and removed her costume. The victim reported that she attempted to use pressure points taught to her by her father to stop the defendant, but he did not stop. The victim attempted to run away but the door was locked and she was unable to leave. The defendant then forcefully penetrated the victim. The victim tried to push the defendant away but was physically unable to do so because he was too strong and had physically overpowered her.
The defendant redressed and opened the locked door and left the bathroom. The victim redressed and exited the bathroom, found her friends and immediately called law enforcement.
The victim went to Ivinson Memorial Hospital for a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, or SANE exam.
The officer obtained a copy of video footage from the Ranger Bar, which appeared to corroborate the victim’s report, according to the affidavit.
On Nov. 4, the victim identified the defendant from a six photo line-up.
The man's trial is set for June 19.