Area man waives charges

A Houston man accused of raping a 15-year-old girl at his home earlier this month waived his case to court Wednesday after charges of aggravated indecent assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse were withdrawn by the prosecution.
Felix Jesus Cruz, 20, of 139 N. Haft St., will stand trial on charges of rape and sexual assault for allegedly raping the girl while she was unconscious on his bed at his home Feb. 13. He had been scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Central Court before District Judge Joshua Kanalis.
The girl told Houston police Officer James Saieva that she was with Cruz and his brother at a Canonsburg fast-food restaurant when his mother picked them up and took them to their home.
Cruz and a friend who was at the home were reportedly smoking marijuana and allegedly blew smoke in the girl’s mouth. She told police that she started to feel groggy. She also was still feeling the effects of a concussion she had suffered earlier this year.
The girl went to Cruz’s bedroom because she was tired and fell asleep. When she awoke, Cruz was allegedly sexually assaulting her. The 15-year-old fled from the home and called a friend to pick her up.
Cruz reportedly called the girl’s mother, telling her that he didn’t mean to do it. He also left the 15-year-old a message that he did it because he was high.
Cruz remains in Washington County jail on $100,000 bond.