Nye heads to trial on rape, flight charges

BY STACI WILSON

The trial of a Montrose area man who eluded capture by the authorities on rape charges for several months in 2010 is set to begin next week in Susquehanna County Court.

Bryan Nye, 40, faces felony counts of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault.

The charges stem from allegations made by a 15-year-old female that Nye had assaulted her on multiple occasions from Jan. 2009 to Feb. 2010.

A jury of eight women and four men were selected Monday to hear the case. The trial is set to begin Tuesday, April 10. It is expected to last three days.

In addition to the sexual assault counts, Nye has also been charged with flight to avoid apprehension and prosecution.

Numerous agencies were involved in the search for Nye during that time, including the U.S. Marshal Service, New York State Police, county probation, the sheriff’s department and Pennsylvania State Police.

In November 2010, Nye pleaded guilty to two of the sexual assault charges but withdrew his plea prior to sentencing and opted to take the case to trial.

The flight charges were added by District Attorney Jason Legg after Nye withdrew his guilty plea.

At that hearing, held in May 2011, Nye’s attorney Mark Powell said no evidence had been given that his client knew there was a warrant for his arrest at the time police were searching for him.

Nye turned himself in on July 19, 2010, in exchange for hindering apprehension charges being dropped against a girlfriend, Stacy Edwards, who was charged in connection with his case.

Nye’s other girlfriend, Carrie Blanton pleaded guilty to hindering apprehension charges in 2010.