Repeat offender accused again

A 37-year-old registered sex offender, already on pre-trial release in a separate violent case, is facing new charges after police say he raped a woman inside her home earlier this month. 

Minorichy Nisarafach Rugante was taken into custody and ordered held on $10,000 cash bail.

He is charged with multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct, along with failing to comply with sex offender registry requirements. Prosecutors also allege the offenses were committed while he was already out on felony release.

According to a magistrate’s complaint, Rugante went to the woman’s home on March 12 with another man before entering her room alone. Authorities say he initiated unwanted advances, ignored her repeated refusals, and forced himself on her.

Investigators say he returned to the residence days later, knocking for an extended period before being told to leave, and came back again the following morning — prompting the victim to call police.

Rugante initially denied any sexual contact but later claimed the encounter was consensual, according to court documents.

Court records show Rugante has been out on pre-trial release since January in an aggravated assault case involving allegations of a deadly weapon. He is also required to register as a sex offender stemming from a 2014 conviction, but authorities say he has not complied with registry requirements since 2022.

If convicted on the latest charges, Rugante could face decades behind bars.