UH-Manoa rape suspect can travel to mainland

A 19-year-old University of Hawaii at Manoa freshman, accused of sexually assaulting a woman at Johnson Hall dormitory last month, will be allowed to return to his home in Oregon.

Tyler Strong was charged Sept. 22 with two counts of first-degree sexual assault and one count of third-degree of sexual assault. He is free after posting bond of $60,000. 

Circuit Court Judge Randal Lee Tuesday granted a motion requested by Strong’s attorney over the objection of city prosecutors to travel to Eugene, Ore., on Oct. 30 and return to Hawaii on Nov. 3. Strong’s Circuit Court trial is scheduled to begin on Dec. 4.

Police arrested Strong on Sept. 21 at 6 a.m. at Johnson Hall on Dole Street, after the case was reported to police at 5 a.m.