Frat member accused of raping two women pleads guilty

Jason Relopez talks to his lawyer Shannon Demler in 1st District Court during a preliminary hearing on Thursday. Relopez was bound over to stand trial for rape and aggravated sexual assault.

LOGAN — A 27-year-old suspended fraternity member accused of assaulting and raping two women has pleaded guilty and will now await sentencing.

Court records show Jason B. Relopez appeared in 1st District Court Tuesday morning, accepting a plea deal from prosecutors. Under conditions of the agreement, he pleaded guilty to one charge of attempted rape, a first-degree felony and one charge of attempted forcible sexual abuse, amended to a third-degree felony.

The plea came just days before a four-day jury trial was to begin on February 8.

Relopez was arrested July 21 after a woman claimed he raped her multiple times while she was attending a party at the Sigma Chi fraternity house, near Utah State University. A second victim later reported also being sexually assaulted by him October 13, 2014, while the two were doing homework in her residence.

Defense attorney Shannon Demler said previously, he believed both the victims had originally consented to have sex with Relopez, but later regretted their decisions.

Relopez remains in jail on a $500,000 bail. He was suspended from the fraternity and USU after being arrested.

During Tuesday’s court appearance, Judge Brian Cannell scheduled sentencing for March 29.

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