Are more charges coming against a man accused in rapes in State College and Michigan that police say occurred more than 20 years ago?
The unusual case hinges on DNA from a coffee cup as police from various agencies are continuing the investigation.
Kurt Rillema remains jailed in Michigan, where he waived a preliminary court hearing last week on rape related charges.
A case there, in Oakland County, Michigan, dates back to 1999 with police saying he raped a woman on a golf course.
A year later, in July of 2000, police say Rillema, while visiting a brother in State College, first punched a woman on the Penn State golf course and then raped her.
It took two decades for the case to come together for investigators, with charges finally being filed after police say they linked DNA from the crime scenes to DNA off of a coffee cup used by Rillema.
Police describe him as an avid golfer who has played nationwide, and they are now awaiting word on other possible similar cases.
“Who knows if there’s other victims out there. We know a lot of sexual assault victims don’t make reports because they’re scared, they’re fearful; a lot of things hold them back. If you are a victim of similar circumstance, a rape on a golf course, or anything that matches what we just talked about. Out of nowhere an individual approaches you and forced you into this, please let us know.”
Rillema is denying the charges. The Centre County district attorney’s office says they are talking to authorities in Michigan about extraditing him back to Pennsylvania, but, so far, nothing definite is planned.
