By LEONARD GRAY

Managing Editor

LAPLACE — Alabama police arrested a 33-year-old man Thursday, who is to be charged with the simple rape of a 34-year-old Honduras woman while both were living at a LaPlace house on the previous day.

Maj. Michael Tregre reported that Jose R. Figueroa, 8871 Sunnyside Drive, LaPlace, allegedly raped the victim in the house they shared with several other Katrina-relief workers.

She had come in to her bedroom, found him already sleeping in her bed, and returned to the living room to sleep on the sofa. At about 3:30 a.m., she awakened to being raped. She screamed and broke free, and he fled the house.

The following day, Figueroa was picked up by the Prattville, Ala. Police Department and is being held, awaiting extridiction to Louisiana.

When the incident was reported to the St. John Sheriff’s Office, some delay was encountered, as the woman could not speak English, so a Spanish-language speaker was necessary to translate. She later reported to River Parishes Hospital to be examined medically for physical evidence of rape having occurred.

Figueroa is expected to appear before an Alabama judge today.