WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Sex Assault Suspect Turns Himself In
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Burlington, Vermont - November 6, 2009
Chittenden County's prosecutor is calling it one of the most unusual cases he's seen. South Burlington Police say Stephen Lopinto turned himself in Friday morning-- saying he raped a woman.
Court papers show Lopinto had been celebrating his 27th birthday with friends, but detectives say last night ended with a vicious beating and sexual assault by Lopinto on a longtime female friend. The victim told investigators she wondered if Lopinto was having an Iraq war flashback-- he was stationed there in the military.
"In Mr. Lopinto's own words, he stopped after 5-10 minutes and didn't know what he was doing, went to the police station and said, 'Arrest me, I raped a woman,'" Chittenden County Prosecutor T.J. Donovan said.
Lopinto pled innocent in court and is being held without bail. Judge Benjamin Katz feared he was a risk for suicide.
Aggravated sexual assault carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Jack Thurston - WCAX News
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