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Man accused of sexually assaulting woman

The woman, who is mentally retarded, told authorities the man had sex with her three times last year after a medical exam found that she was 31 weeks pregnant.

By JACOB H. FRIES
Published June 30, 2005

LARGO - A 20-year-old Largo man has been accused of luring a mentally retarded woman behind a group of buildings and having sex with her last fall, authorities said Wednesday.

The victim never reported the encounters until last week when an annual medical checkup found she was 31 weeks pregnant, said Largo police Detective Keith Barton. The 25-year-old woman, who is also hearing-impaired, said Marcelo Lara had intercourse with her three times in November and December last year.

"She was consistent with her story throughout," Barton said.

Lara was arrested Tuesday night at his Largo home on a charge of sexual battery of a mentally defective victim. He was being held in Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Lara admitted to the three sexual encounters and said he knew she was "sick," according to the arrest report.

He first confronted the woman one day in late November as she walked past the pizza restaurant where he worked on Indian Rocks Road, Barton said. The two struck up a conversation, although Lara speaks limited English and the woman's speech is restricted as well.

Lara then led her to a shielded area behind the restaurant, where they had sex, Barton said.

Records show that Lara has been arrested once before in Florida. In July of last year, Largo police arrested him on one count of felony grand theft. The disposition of that case was unknown.

--Jacob H. Fries can be reached at 445-4156 or jfries@sptimes.com

[Last modified June 30, 2005, 00:59:15]