AZ Man Rapes Woman In Oakland County Hotel Room After Making Copy Of Her Key: Police

AUBURN HILLS, MI — An Arizona man raped a woman at an Auburn Hills hotel earlier this summer while he was in metro Detroit for work, according to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office.

Joel Delavara, 36, of Yuma, Arizona, was charged with one count each of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, second-degree criminal sexual conduct and first-degree home invasion.

He was placed in the Oakland County Jail, but was released after posting a $100,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 19.

If convicted, he faces up to life in prison for first-degree criminal sexual conduct, up to 20 years for first-degree home invasion and up to 15 years for second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Prosecutors said Delavara was in metro Detroit for a work conference on Aug. 14 when he made a copy made of the woman's hotel room key.

Delavara then used the key to get into her room and sexually assault her before "abruptly flying back to Arizona," according to the prosecutor's office.

The woman, whom police did not identify, reported the incident on Aug. 16, according to the prosecutor's office.

Prosecutors did not say how Delavara was able to make a copy of the victim's hotel key or where the work conference took place. They also did not disclose the exact Auburn Hills hotel where the incident happened.

"The impact of rape on a victim and our community is immense," Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said. "This case will be handled by my office’s Special Victims Unit, which is dedicated to prosecuting violent sex offenders and getting justice for victims."