Steamboat Springs — A 31-year-old man charged with sex assault was acquitted after a three-day trial this week.

The charge was related to an incident on June 1, 2014.

The woman went to police a few weeks later. She told police she met two men at a dance, and they all went back to one of the men’s houses to continue drinking. She woke up in the morning and believed she had been raped.

The man denied to police that he had sex with the woman.

The woman kept the clothes she wore the night of the incident. Sperm on the woman’s jeans matched the man’s DNA.

The man was represented by attorney Larry Combs.

Combs said Thursday that there was testimony during the trial that the woman had drunk seven or eight margaritas.

“Whatever did happen was with her consent,” Combs said.

Combs said the jury deliberated for two and half hours before finding the man not guilty.

Deputy District Attorney Melinda Dudley prosecuted the case.

Assistant District Attorney Matt Karzen said sexual assault cases are oftentimes difficult to prosecute because the incidents often happen behind closed doors, and it is typically one person’s word versus the other person’s word.

“But as such, I think it is even more important that we stay committed to supporting sex assault survivors despite the challenges such trials present,” Karzen said.

To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland