Honduran man charged with attempted rape

A man from Honduras is accused of attempting to rape a woman in a public restroom at a Polson hotel. Gerson Pineda Giovani Maldonado, 23, pled not guilty through an interpreter in District Court in Polson Aug. 7 to attempted sexual intercourse without consent.

According to charging documents, Polson Police were dispatched to the hotel on July 18 in response to a report that a woman was assaulted. The woman, identified by the initials J.M. told the responding officer that she went to the restroom at the hotel and Maldonao followed her into one of the stalls.

Once inside, Maldonado allegedly locked the door and forced himself upon her and pulled his pants down. She told him to stop and get off her numerous times. She also stated that he placed his hand over her mouth when another person came into the restroom.

J.M. was able to get her pants up and escape the stall and said another woman who was there helped her.

Maldonado does not speak English and requires a Spanish interpreter for all court appearances.

Judge John A. Mercer set the case for trial on Nov. 24. Maldonado remains in custody on $50,000 bail.