Alleged Cheyenne Rapist Bound Over for Trial
A Cheyenne man accused of raping a 14-year-old girl has been bound over to Laramie County District Court.
Circuit Court Judge Denise Nau heard statements this (Wednesday) afternoon from 21-year-old Owen Soto's attorney as well as District Attorney Jeremiah Sandburg.
According to sworn testimony by Cheyenne Police Department Detective Aaron Willmarth, Soto and two juvenile men allegedly held the girl down and sexually assaulted her during a party in January of 2015.
"DNA on the victim's shirt and DNA in (her) vagina matched Mr. Soto's DNA," Willmarth told the court.
Soto's attorney, Dion Custis, argued that there was no physical evidence, such as bruising, to indicate the girl had been held down and no other witnesses to back up the alleged rape.
Judge Nau agreed to lower Soto's bond from $15,000 to $7,500 cash, but said there was enough probable cause to bind the case over. Soto's arraignment date has yet to be scheduled.