Rape charges upgraded on local man

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A St. Joseph man accused of rape had his charges upgraded by the Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney.

Aaron Dowis was charged with second-degree rape earlier this year. In December, 2024, Dowis allegedly took a job interview candidate to an unoccupied office at Mosaic Regional Medical Center and sexually assaulted her.

Dowis was charged with the second-degree rape or attempted rape. He was released on a $25,000 cash bond.

After a series of preliminary hearings were delayed and rescheduled, the charges were upgraded to first-degree rape due to the use of forcible compulsion.

No arraignment or hearings have been scheduled on the upgraded charges.

With the enhanced charges and under RSMo Section 566.030, Dowis now faces felony charges of life imprisonment or over five years in prison.

Before the upgraded charges, Dowis had a preliminary hearing scheduled at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 30.