Judge orders defendants tried together for allegedly using Craigslist to arrange Wyoming rape

1 trial for 2 men accused of arranging rape online

CASPER, Wyo. — A district judge has ordered two men accused of using Craigslist to arrange the rape of a Wyoming woman to stand trial together.

Jebidiah James Stipe, of Twentynine Palms, Calif., and Ty Oliver McDowell, of Bar Nunn, both have pleaded not guilty to charges.

Prosecutors say Stipe posted an ad on the Internet advertising site Craigslist pretending to be a Casper woman. Prosecutors say Stipe asked for someone to help play out a “rape fantasy.”

Prosecutors say McDowell replied to the posting and raped the woman in her home in December.

Stipe and McDowell are scheduled to go on trial May 24.

Information from: Casper Star-Tribune - Casper, www.trib.com