IRS investigates suspect in rape

MINER - The Miner Police Department has confirmed that Naji Mohsen Monasser, 35, a resident alien from Yemen facing felony forcible rape, forcible sodomy and kidnapping charges, is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service for possessing multiple IRS individual tax payer identification number cards.

Yemen is a small Middle East country located between the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia on the Arabian Peninsula.

Miner police officials declined to comment on additional identifications that were found or other documents and property found in Monasser's possession, but confirmed Monasser had five tax cards each with different numbers and names.

Upon his arrest, the FBI and Immigration and Naturalization Service were both advised in addition to the IRS, but Miner police officials declined to confirm or deny investigations by either the FBI or INS.

Miner police officials also declined to comment on whether there was a renewed interest by the federal agencies following Tuesday's terrorist attack in New York and Washington D.C.

Monasser is set to appear Wednesday on charges stemming from an incident at the Ramada Inn reported Aug. 21.

In a Aug. 23 press release, Miner Police Department officials said Monasser was positively identified by a victim who said that while working as a house keeper in the room next to where Monasser was staying, she was grabbed and pulled into his room where she was sexually assaulted and held against her will.

During his arraignment, Monasser was asked by Judge David Mann, associate circuit judge, if he had brought an attorney with him, Monasser clearly answered, "Yes" and pointed to a man seated in the audience. Upon approaching the bench, the man explained he was not Monasser's attorney and that Monasser does not speak or understand English. Following the hearing, he confirmed he and the other men accompanying him are friends of Monasser.

Judge Mann advised Monasser that he is facing two life sentences plus 15 years if convicted of the charges and recommended Monasser have an attorney present for his next appearance.

Monasser is being held on a $1 million bond.