After spending more than five months in jail and being accused of raping a guest at a St. Paul hotel where he worked, a 25-year-old man has had the case against him dropped for lack of evidence.

Nolasco Lopez Ramirez, of St. Paul, had been charged in Ramsey County District Court with first-degree criminal sexual conduct based on the allegation by a 22-year-old woman that he attacked her on April 23 at the Days Inn at 1964 University Av. W.

In filing for dismissal, the county attorney's office said nothing more than "the state is unable to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt."

The defendant's attorney described Lopez Ramirez as "a hardworking man who maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings." Lopez Ramirez, who worked at the hotel as head of housekeeping, was released soon after the case was dropped last week.

Paul Walsh