A Cottonwood man was found guilty by a Yavapai County jury Tuesday on two counts of sexual assault, two counts of attempted sexual assault, kidnapping, and burglary in the second degree. Ryan Lee Eppinger, 24, faces between 10 and 52 years in prison.
The Cottonwood Police Department’s investigation revealed that Eppinger entered his ex-girlfriend’s home while she slept. Eppinger admitted to keeping the victim in her bedroom for more than three hours, covering her mouth while she screamed, taking her phone so she could not call for help, and demanding sexual acts. Eppinger then sexually assaulted the victim before finally leaving.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 21 at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Thomas K. Kelly.