Rape charge dismissed as part of New Kensington man's plea deal

A New Kensington man pleaded guilty Monday to reduced charges following allegations of a violent sexual assault last year in Arnold.

As part of a negotiated plea deal, prosecutors dismissed felony charges of rape, aggravated indecent assault, aggravated assault and sexual assault against Marque Angelo Sanders in return for guilty pleas to lesser misdemeanor counts of indecent assault and simple assault.

“This resolution was reached after direct consultation with the victim and was only agreed upon with her consent,” said Melanie Jones, spokeswoman for Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli.

Police said Sanders assaulted a women he met at an Arnold bar on April 3, 2024.

His accuser told police she tripped going into Sanders’ apartment and broke a coffee table. In response, she claimed Sanders punched her multiple times in the face, shoulders, chest and head, followed her into a bathroom and continued the assault and later raped her. Police said the victim was able to flee Sanders’ apartment, leaving her purse and shoes behind.

Police said the woman sustained a fractured nasal bone and multiple facial bruises during the assault.

Sanders, who is serving a state sentence for unrelated crimes, was ordered by Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Mears to serve 6 to 23 months in jail to run concurrent to his other prison terms.