Lawrence man, 26, arrested early Saturday after rape accusation

Police arrested a 26-year-old Lawrence man Saturday morning on suspicion of rape after a female acquaintance accused him of assaulting her.

Sgt. Matt Sarna, a Lawrence police spokesman, said officers were called to a disturbance just after 3 a.m. Saturday at a residence in north-central Lawrence. A 22-year-old Lawrence woman alleged the suspect sexually assaulted her.

The man was at the scene, and police interviewed him and later took him to the Douglas County Jail.

According to jail records, a judge Saturday set bond for the man at $100,000. Douglas County prosecutors filed one count of rape against the man, accusing him of committing the crime while the victim was “unconscious or physically powerless.” The victim reported she was not physically injured, Sarna said.

During a court appearance Monday, chief assistant district attorney Amy McGowan said that the victim was one of two roommates the suspect had and that the other roommate was a witness in the case. If the suspect posts bond, he must go with police to pick up personal belongings because he’s not allowed to return to the residence.

The suspect said he understood the charges against him. His next hearing is scheduled for this afternoon.

The Journal-World generally does not identify sex crime suspects unless they are convicted.