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Judge refuses to lower bond for man charged with rape

Jennifer Davoren
Aspen Times Staff Writer

A man charged with sexual assault was denied a bond reduction Monday in Pitkin County District Court.

Robert Feliciano, 18, is charged with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl who offered him a ride home from a party on Feb. 13. The girl told police that Feliciano raped her twice that evening and threatened to kill her if she reported it.

Feliciano has remained in the Pitkin County Jail since the day the alleged attack took place, held on a $27,500 bond. However, public defender Jim Conway requested Monday that the amount be reduced. He said Feliciano, who is unemployed, would not be able to pay his own bail.



Conway also said that Feliciano should have the opportunity to bond out while his case advances through the court system.

“Although the allegations are serious, they are just allegations at this point,” Conway said.




However, Assistant District Attorney Lawson Wills argued that Feliciano’s bond should remain as is, since the suspect “is well known to our criminal justice system.” Feliciano was recently suspended from Aspen High School for possession of a knife on school grounds and was once involved in a hit-and-run accident while driving under the influence of alcohol, Wills said.

The prosecutor also cautioned against releasing Feliciano due to his lack of local ties. Feliciano is actually a ward of the New York Department of Social Services, Wills said, and will remain so until he is 21.

District Court Judge Jim Boyd agreed with Wills, noting the grave charge Feliciano faces.

“The offense alleged here is serious, and the circumstances warrant a substantial bond,” Boyd said.

Feliciano’s arraignment was set for April 21.

[Jennifer Davoren’s e-mail address is jenniferd@aspentimes.com]