A 37-year-old man is accused of sexually assaulting two women in Salt Lake City within roughly two weeks, with police arresting him after a second report brought officers to an apartment complex. The allegations involve nights out, visits to the man’s residence and claims that the women were assaulted after falling asleep or saying they did not consent.
FOX 13 News Utah identified the suspect as Moise Sainteran, who was arrested Saturday and is being held without bail. He faces rape, aggravated sexual assault and other charges, though the allegations have not been proven in court.
According to court documents reviewed by the station, the first woman, 20, met Sainteran earlier in July and went with him to downtown bars on July 17. She told police that after they returned to his apartment around 3 a.m. the next day, he attempted to have sex with her without her consent, prevented her from pushing him away, and briefly placed his hands over her mouth, nose and throat.
Second Report Led Officers To Apartment Lobby
The second woman told police she went out with Sainteran the night before reporting the alleged assault and later fell asleep at his residence. She said she woke while he was assaulting her, told him to stop and then lost consciousness again before later telling her cousin what happened and going to a hospital for an examination.
Police responding Saturday to an apartment complex in the 500 block of West 200 South found Sainteran in the lobby and arrested him, according to the account. Investigators say he denied physical contact with the first woman before acknowledging intercourse occurred and describing it as consensual; regarding the second woman, he claimed they had been kissing throughout the night, a claim a witness disputed.
What The Charges Mean Under Utah Law
Utah law defines rape as sexual intercourse without consent and classifies it as a first-degree felony, according to the Utah Legislature. Aggravated sexual assault is also a first-degree felony, with enhanced penalties that depend on the circumstances alleged in the case.
The Salt Lake City Police Department says its Special Victims Unit works with victim advocates to provide trauma-informed support during sexual-assault investigations. The department’s public 2024 statistics list 255 reported rape offenses in the city, while anyone seeking assistance can find reporting and advocacy resources through the Salt Lake City Police Department.
Sainteran remains in custody as the case moves forward. An arrest and criminal charge are accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless prosecutors prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
