Risab Bhandari, 22, of Webster Groves is accused of raping a woman he met online at the woman’s De Soto home, court records said.
Bhandari was charged today, July 2, with felony rape or attempted rape and two counts of sodomy or attempted sodomy. He was arrested Wednesday, July 1, and as of today, was being held without bond.
According to a statement from the De Soto Police Department, police officers responded on June 27 to a home for a report of a sexual assault that had occurred the previous evening. A woman, who was seeking medical attention, told officers she had been sexually assaulted by a man she met online.
Police said the woman had visible bruises on her neck and wrists. The woman told police that Bhandari pinned her down and strangled her.
According to the department’s statement, the detective bureau immediately began an investigation, conducting interviews, collecting evidence and pursuing leads over the next several days. Members of the department conducted a coordinated operation that resulted in the arrest of Bhandari on Wednesday evening.