Salem man arrested on rape charges gets 15 days in jail and probation for menacing woman

Whitney Woodworth | Statesman Journal

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A Salem man arrested for allegedly raping a woman at gunpoint was sentenced to 15 days in jail and probation after he pleaded guilty to domestic violence menacing charges Monday.

Juan Rodriguez-Cortes, 58, was initially arrested June 29 on charges of first-degree rape, unlawful use of a firearm and menacing. He was taken to Marion County jail and held on a $250,000 bond.

Court documents were later amended to remove the rape and firearm charges.

Rodriguez-Cortes admitted to threatening the same woman and causing her to fear for her safety.

Marion County Judge Channing Bennett sentenced Rodriguez-Cortes to 18 months bench probation and 15 days in jail with credit for time already served.

MORE: Salem man arrested after allegedly raping woman at gunpoint

Under the terms of his probation, Rodriguez-Cortes is required to complete a batterer intervention program and parenting classes. Bennett barred Rodriguez-Cortes from having contact with his victim unless he is given permission by his probation officer.

If he was convicted of first-degree rape, Rodriguez-Cortes would have faced a mandatory minimum prison sentence of eight years and four months.

The Marion County District Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to an inquiry as to why the rape charge was dropped.

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodwort@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-399-6884 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth

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