A Scranton man accused of raping a woman at an outdoor party in the spring denied the accusation, but said the two had consensual sex days earlier, according to a criminal complaint.
Connor Carey, 19, of 205 Market St., was arrested Tuesday following a months-long investigation.
According to a criminal complaint, at about 3 a.m. on March 21, police officers responded to the area of the “Towers” on Tower Road, Newton Township, on a report of a rape that occurred at an outdoor party there.
The alleged victim initially refused to speak with investigators, but was transported to the hospital to be evaluated and treated.
Once at the hospital, the alleged victim told state police that Carey was accompanying her to an area used as a restroom during the party, when he grabbed her by her hooded sweatshirt and tried to kiss her, twice.
She told investigators she arrived at the party just after midnight and hadn’t been to a party in that area previously.
When she refused Carey’s advances, he allegedly pushed her to the ground, placed his hands around her throat and raped her.
She told officers she had been drinking and was intoxicated.
The Times-Tribune does not identify victims of alleged sexual assault.
During a police interview at about 4:30 a.m., Carey said he had taken the alleged victim to the bathroom and said the two had kissed, but denied raping her.
He said the two had dated in high school and had recently started “hanging out” again. He said the two had had sex weeks before.
Investigators sent evidence from a sexual assault kit to the state crime laboratory for forensic testing.
On Aug. 17, troopers received the results of a DNA analysis which concluded that the DNA profile obtained from evidence collection the night of the alleged rape matched Carey’s profile.
During a second interview on Tuesday, Carey reiterated that he didn’t have sex with the victim at the party, but said he had had sex with her three days before the alleged crime.
Carey faces felony charges of rape and aggravated indecent assault, and several misdemeanors. He remains in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. on Sept. 9 before District Judge Joanne Corbett.