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From Mirror staff reports
A Tyrone man faces rape and assault charges after he was accused of giving a female victim alcohol before taking advantage of her.
Nicolas Lee Riggleman, 24, was arraigned Sunday before Magisterial District Judge Benjamin F. Jones on felony charges of rape, strangulation, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault along with a misdemeanor charge of indecent assault.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Tyrone Borough police were contacted by Penn Highlands Tyrone for the report of a sexual assault.
Police talked to the 18-year-old victim who said Riggleman invited her to hang out with him at his apartment early Sunday morning. After she drank three alcoholic beverages, she told him that she felt drunk. At that point, he led her to the bedroom and pushed her onto the bed, where he continued to kiss her, remove her clothes and strangle her until she was ready to pass out. He then loosened his grip but then put his hand back around her neck. Police said the victim had significant bruising on her neck.
She told police that Riggleman then raped her. She was afraid to say no because she knew his brother was arrested in a stabbing and she didn't know what Riggleman would do.
When Riggleman fell asleep, she escaped the residence, the victim stated.
Riggleman posted 10% of $75,000 bail and was released from the Blair County Prison. His preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 17 before Magisterial District Judge Fred B. Miller.