Riverview man charged with January rape

RIVERVIEW -- Marcus Christian Pate, 20, of Riverview was arrested in connection with a January rape in Riverview.

He admitted entering a house off Highway 301 S through an unlocked window at about 10 p.m. on Jan. 11, Hillsborough sheriff's deputies said. Once inside, he sexually battered a 24-year-old woman, deputies said.

DNA evidence from the crime scene was used to match Pate to the rape, deputies reported. A warrant was issued Tuesday, and a Hillsborough detective traveled to Danville, Va., where Pate attends Averett University, the report states.

He was arrested by Danville police on Thursday. He was charged with sexual battery, false imprisonment and burglary with assault, the report states. He will be brought back to Hillsborough County.

Pate played football at Averett University. He is 6 feet 3 and weighs 195 pounds, according to the 2007 roster. He was a wide receiver. He attended Riverview High School.

- Jessica Vander Velde, Times staff writer