Trial set for man accused of sexually assaulting his dance student

A 62-year-old man pleaded not guilty last week to sexually assaulting one of his 14-year-old dance students, and his trial was set for July 22 in Linn County District Court.

Marcelino Hivento was charged last month with third-degree sexual abuse. He is accused of sexually abusing the 14-year-old girl May 1-  Oct. 31, 2012 in his home at 421 15th St. SE. The girl, now 15, told police Hivento forced several sexual acts upon her, according to a criminal complaint.

Hivento admitted to the sexual abuse when investigators questioned him, according to a criminal complaint.

Hivento teaches dance lessons out of his home, according to a police report. Investigators didn't have any information if he was teaching dance as a business. No other alleged victims have come forward but police at the time of his arrest didn't rule out the possibility.

Hivento, who is originally from Bolivia, told The Gazette in previous interviews he wanted to develop a Latino dance troupe for children and wanted to build a Latin cultural center. According to  Guide Star, which gathers information about IRS registered non-profits, Hivento established a non-profit organization -- Latin American Museum and Cultural Center -- in 2003. The center's address is Hivento's home address.