A Portland man has been charged in two cases including a rape in Gresham

Man indicted in Gresham Rape and Hoyt Arboretum Attack

A Multnomah County grand jury has formally charged an alleged rapist with crimes ranging from attempted sex abuse to rape in two cases including a recent Gresham attack.

Kenneth Wayne Couch, 24, of Portland, now faces charges on three counts of strangulation, one count of first-degree rape, one count of first-degree attempted sex abuse and one count of third-degree robbery.

Couch pleaded not guilty to all charges on Wednesday, Aug. 8. His next court date is Sept. 20.

Couch was arrested on July 30. He allegedly raped and strangled a 25-year-old woman Sunday, June 24, on the Springwater Trail near Southwest Pleasant View Drive, according to Gresham police.

Then, on July 29 at 11 a.m. Couch allegedly attacked Portland resident Michele Dickson at the Hoyt Arboretum. Park guests at the arboretum heard Dickson’s screams and rushed to help. Couch fled the scene but was found camping by Oregon Zoo officials and park rangers the next day.

When police arrested Couch, records indicated he was also a suspect in the Gresham case.