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PrintCOLUMBIA — A Columbia man was arrested and charged Wednesday with forcible rape in connection with an incident following a May 3 party in south Columbia.
A warrant was issued for the arrest of Joseph Michael Sprague, 23, on July 9, and police arrested him Wednesday morning. Sprague posted a $25,000 bond, and as a condition of the bond, must have no contact with the victim.
According to a probable cause statement filed with Boone County Circuit Court, Sprague attended a party at the victim’s house on the night of May 2 and early morning of May 3. After the party ended, the victim went to bed while the suspect was downstairs on the couch. Shortly after going to sleep, the victim awoke to find the suspect sexually assaulting her, according to the statement.
Sprague said in a phone call with the victim that was recorded by police that he couldn’t recall the incident and apologized if he hurt the victim, according to the statement.
The probable cause statement goes on to say that in a May 27 interview with police, Sprague said he remembered attending the party, but added, “That’s totally not what happened, by the way.” He requested an attorney and the interview was stopped, according to the statement.
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