A 24-year-old San Jose man pleaded not guilty to charges of
forcible rape, attempted rape of an unconscious person and
misdemeanor sexual battery in San Benito County Superior Court
today.
A 24-year-old San Jose man pleaded not guilty to charges of forcible rape, attempted rape of an unconscious person and misdemeanor sexual battery in San Benito County Superior Court today.
Bryan Eisele was arrested by San Benito County Sheriff’s Office deputies Wednesday, two days after his 22-year-old ex-girlfriend, a Hollister-resident, checked herself into Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital and told physicians she was raped. Hospital workers then contacted authorities.
“She was essentially held down against her will,” said sheriff’s Detective Victor Casada, the lead investigator on the case. “We based the arrest on statements made by the victim and the suspect, as well as physical evidence.”
Casada said Eisele and his ex-girlfriend had “a history” of abuse and that alcohol played a part in the incident.
San Benito County Deputy District Attorney Patrick Palacios declined to comment on specifics regarding the case after today’s court session.
“I just got handed this case, and we’re still processing the evidence,” he said.
According to court documents, Superior Court Judge Steven Sanders filed a protection order against any contact between Eisele and the woman and ordered Eisele to be held at San Benito County Jail on $50,000 bail.
Eisele will be back in court Aug. 12 for a preliminary setting hearing.
