RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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A DNA test proved that Tyler Weber, 33, sexually assaulted the 19-year-old woman, who had been helping him the day before his wedding
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A Nebraska groom is accused of raping a woman who was helping with preparations for his wedding — a day before he was getting married.
Tyler Weber, 33, was arrested last week on charges of first-degree sexual assault and first-degree false imprisonment after DNA results contradicted his claims that he did not assault the victim, WOWT reported.
He is accused of raping the woman, who was 19 and married, and gathered with a group of people at Weber’s home to prepare for his wedding in May, a day before the nuptials.
The group had been drinking, and the victim told Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s deputies that Weber grabbed her hand and wrist when her husband wasn’t looking. However, at some point, the rest of the group — including her husband — left, leaving the victim and Weber alone at his home in Mitchell, a city of about 1,500 in western Nebraska.
The victim told investigators that she was feeling drunk and decided to borrow clothes and spend the night. She said that Weber followed her, grabbed her by the wrist and pinned her against the stairs before pulling her onto the couch, where he assaulted her, according to authorities.
She told investigators that he pulled down her shorts and performed a sex act as she repeatedly told him “No!”
Weber reportedly stopped the assault several times to say that he shouldn’t be doing this since his wedding was the next day. The victim also told authorities that he discussed his desire to have a threesome with her and his soon-to-be wife, according to the report.
The victim said that she tried to text her husband to tell him “bad things were happening” but eventually fell asleep, the report noted. She later woke up around 5:30 a.m. when the bride-to-be came downstairs, saw Weber holding the victim and began to yell at her.
It was not immediately clear how Weber and the victim knew each other. The victim told investigators that Weber begged her “not to tell anyone what happened” as she left the home that morning.
Medical personnel performed a rape exam on the victim, collecting DNA samples. A warrant was later issued for Weber’s DNA and he consented to the test.
Initial results did not prove Weber’s innocence. However, a more thorough DNA test, known as a YSTR DNA test, matched his DNA, court records showed. The positive DNA match led to his arrest and charges.
Weber’s bond was set at $215,000. He is due back in court on Monday.
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