A former student accused of sexual battery in a USFSP dormitory room in May 2014 is scheduled to stand trial on Jan 19, according to the Pinellas clerk of court’s website.
Darren Lasso, 21, a sophomore biology major, was kicked out of school after his arrest, according to his lawyer, and issued a warning not to trespass on campus.
Lasso’s attorney, Bryant Camareno, said he hopes the case never gets to trial.
“No one wants the trial to happen,” he said. “This is something that cannot go any further,”
Camareno said he is in discussion with prosecutor Carlos Licona and Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Joseph A. Bulone about letting Lasso off on probation. As a second-degree felony, sexual battery is punishable by up to 15 years in jail, 15 years’ probation and a $10,000 fine.
