Rwandan refugee pleads not guilty to rape at UT

11/16/2007

A Rwandan national in the United States on a refugee visa appeared yesterday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court, charged with rape for the assault of a woman in the University of Toledo s library.

Valentin Havugiyaremye, 38, of 1931 Scottwood Ave., Apt. E-508, pleaded not guilty to one count each of rape and gross sexual imposition.

He remains in the Lucas County jail in lieu of a $510,000 bond. If convicted of both offenses, Mr. Havugiyaremye faces a maximum of 11 years in prison.

Mr. Havugiyaremye, who is not a UT student, is accused of approaching the 20-year-old woman, who also is not a UT student, on the second floor of Carlson Library about 6:15 p.m. Oct. 10.

Arrest warrants said the incident occurred in the public area with computer stations, and that the woman has a cognitive/mental disability.

Judge Ruth Ann Franks set a Jan. 28 trial date.