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Two plead not guilty in sexual assault
By JENNYMICHAEL
Bismarck Tribune

Two men charged with gross sexual imposition for the alleged rape of a 14-year-old Mandan girl have pleaded not guilty.

Estanislado Jilpas-Tamez, 18, and Angel Gabriel Loria-Tamayo, 22, entered not guilty pleas in separate arraignments at the Morton County Courthouse Monday.

South Central District Judge Robert Wefald on May 30 set bond for both men at $10,000 each, according to court documents.

Jilpas-Tamez and Loria-Tamayo are still in custody at the Morton County Detention Center.

According to court documents, Jilpas-Tamez and Loria-Tamayo allegedly used alcohol to lure the 14-year-old victim and two female friends to the men's residence in the 700 block of Poplar Lane on May 26.

Police said the victim went to the bathroom to get something out of her eye, and her friends were gone when she came back.

The victim told police that the suspects dragged her into a back bedroom as she was trying to leave the residence. She said they assaulted her in the room.

The girl later went to the hospital, where it was determined that she had injuries consistent with being sexually assaulted.

A witness, Angel Ybarra, said he was at the residence at the time of the attack, and he identified Tamayo and Tamez as being involved in the attack, according to court documents.

The gross sexual imposition charge against Loria-Tamayo, who appeared at 10 a.m., is a Class AA felony, punishable by up to life in prison.

Loria-Tamayo is an illegal immigrant from Mexico, said Det. Brent Wilmeth of the Mandan Police Department.

Morton County Assistant State's Attorney Brian Grosinger said the defense requested that AT&T Language Line be used during Loria-Tamayo's hearing.

Grosinger said South Central District Court Judge Sonna Anderson called an 800 number, and a Spanish-speaking woman translated Loria-Tamayo's words.

While the defense had requested that the service be used, Grosinger said, it was helpful for the state, too.

"It makes it cleaner for us, too, so it helps," he said.

Jilpas-Tamez appeared at 4 p.m.

The charge against Jilpas-Tamez is a Class A felony because he is only four years older than the alleged victim.

Jilpas-Tamez is a legal citizen from Illinois, Wilmeth said.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@;bismarcktribune.com.)