[B]URLINGTON — Tyson Cyphers, the man accused of sexually assaulting a University of Vermont student, pleaded not guilty to aggravated sexual assault, stalking and grand larceny Monday.
Police arrested Cyphers, 37, Saturday after the student told them she was raped by Cyphers, who she knew, in her dorm room. Cyphers took more than $900 worth of the victim’s possessions and had also stalked her before the sexual assault, police allege.
Cyphers, of Essex Junction, faces up to life in prison for the felony sexual assault charge, and is being held without bail. He faces up to two years in prison for the stalking charge and up to 10 years for the larceny. He is not a UVM student.
The victim let Cyphers into her dorm room after he showed up outside her door and threatened to kill himself if she did not let him in. Cyphers then allegedly told her that he was going to make her hate him before raping her.
The assault stopped when the victim’s roommate returned to the room. Cyphers admitted to his mother via text message that he had forced himself on the victim and told police that “My friends would want me to tell you I sexually assaulted that girl, and I did,” according to the police affidavit.
Cyphers has a long criminal history, including two convictions for lewd/lascivious conduct in 2004. Overall, he has 14 misdemeanor convictions, four felony convictions and 11 probation violations.
Previous convictions include failure to comply with the sex offender registry, possession of stolen property and possession of a weapon.
He is listed on the state’s sex offender registry as “non-compliant” but “NOT high risk.”
Judge Martin Maley said during Monday’s hearing that the evidence of guilt in the affidavit was great and that he found there was clear and convincing evidence that there could be no bail conditions set which would reasonably protect the public.
The victim had told Cyphers that she did not want to see him on Saturday, but he waited outside of her residence hall until someone else let him in. Cyphers then contacted the victim from the hallway outside of her dorm room at around 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Cyphers was taken into custody Saturday night.
During the assault, police also allege that Cyphers put his hand on her neck, making it difficult for her to breathe.
Before the assault, Cyphers had showed up outside of one of the victim’s classes and threatened self-harm when she walked away from him.
He allegedly stole a backpack, laptop, watch, rings, necklaces and perfumes from the victim after the assault.
Cyphers was represented by public defender Jessica Brown. A hearing has been set for March 6.
UVM spokesman Enrique Corederra said in a statement Sunday that the university was “deeply concerned” about the incident.
“UVM Police Services is working closely with other police agencies and, given the circumstances surrounding this incident, police do not believe that there is any ongoing threat to the community,” Corredera said.
