Man Accused Of Drugging And Raping Teen Faces Trial
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A man accused of giving a teenager sleeping pills and then raping her is now facing trial.
"There's so many factors in here that hinge on 'I don't know, I can't recall and I'm not sure,'" said attorney Lopresti Charles.
Words of doubt from 46-year-old Ryan Brant's attorney.
Brant was held for court today, accused of giving the sleeping pill "Ambien" to a 16-year-old girl at her home in Forward Township back in 2009.
Once the girl became impaired, he would allegedly have sex with her.
According to the criminal complaint, the abuse would carry on at her home and other locations for more than a year. The victim claims Brant would then threaten to hurt her or her family if she did not do what he wanted.
An accusation that Brant's attorney believes is a stretch.
"Because of the complete lack of physical or forensic evidence--always turn on credibility," Charles said, "would he be believed?"
The victim told police Brant would either crush the sleeping pill and put it into a drink or he would force the girl to take it.
"There was multiple encounters that went on," said State Police Tpr. Matthew Gavrish, "some the severity of what happened was different each time of everything that happened."
Brant remains in jail on $50,000 bond.
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