William Hess

An accused rapist who has been on the run for more than a month was arraigned Tuesday before a Butler County judge.

William H. Hess Jr., 34, of Brady Township, is charged with five felonies and one misdemeanor, with the most serious charges being those of rape and strangulation, all toward a juvenile girl.

Hess appeared before District Judge Joseph Nash, who denied his bond. Nash listed multiple reasons for the denial, including Hess being a perceived flight risk, the seriousness of the offenses and Hess’ criminal history.

State police announced Hess’ arrest March 1. He was then extradited from Missouri. In February, Hess was listed as one of five most-wanted suspects by the state police’s Butler barracks.

Court records show Hess pleaded guilty in 2012 to the charge, which acknowledged guilt in the 2011 death of his then girlfriend’s baby. According to the New Castle News, after an autopsy, the baby’s death was ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma to the head, among other noted injuries.

Records showed he was sentenced in 2014 to serve between one and eight years in prison with some time credited for time served.

State police filed the latest charges Jan. 27 after speaking with the girl about the alleged rape Nov. 26.

Police said Hess forced himself on the girl and raped her, and while she struggled against him, he choked her.

Hess will appear next for a preliminary hearing before Nash. The hearing date was not immediately available Tuesday.