A Pierce County judge on Wednesday refused to lower bail for a man accused of sexually assaulting a Tacoma woman a decade ago.
Superior Court Judge Frank Cuthbertson left Brian Brent’s bail at $750,000 because he is considered a high flight risk and could possibly reoffend, deputy prosecuting attorney Lori Kooiman said.
Brent, 38, of University Place, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree rape, first-degree burglary with sexual motivation and second-degree assault with sexual motivation in the June 2, 2002, incident.
The victim told police she was attacked at her home in the 5000 block of North Bristol Street while sleeping. She had left the door unlocked for her boyfriend and awoke to find a stranger standing over her. She said the intruder left after assaulting her.
A DNA sample taken from the woman’s pajama pants, which were soiled with the intruder’s semen, was linked to Brent earlier this year after being compared to the state’s database of convicted felons.
In a letter asking for a lower bail, Brent’s wife, Linda, said his main concern was their children and that he would never skip bail for fear of not seeing them again.
“It has never been an option to run and live a life as a fugitive,” Linda Brent wrote.
stacia.glenn@thenewstribune.com