Santa Rosa Junior College Student Pleads Not Guilty To Rape Of Classmate
SANTA ROSA (CBS SF) - A Santa Rosa Junior College student pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Sonoma County Superior Court to sexually assaulting a female student on campus.
Marco Antonio DeAnda-Vargas is charged with felony forcible rape, sodomy and digital penetration. He is being held in the Sonoma County jail under $300,000 bail and on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.
DeAnda, 30, and the 23-year-old female student were acquainted through a mutual class at the junior college, Santa Rosa police Sgt. John Snetsinger said.
After class on March 15, they went inside the Quinn Swim Center, which was closed at the time, Snetsinger said.
"SRJC is not sure how access was made," Snetsinger said.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Bud McMahon said DeAnda-Vargas told authorities he is a teacher's aide and had keys to the swim center.
The victim reported the assault inside the swim center the next day to the Santa Rosa Junior College Police Department and Santa Rosa police took the lead in the investigation, Snetsinger said.
Snetsinger said sexual assault victims sometimes delay reporting the incident to police because of fear, embarrassment, confusion or ignorance of the law.
DeAnda-Vargas's preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 11.
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