The man arrested Thursday for second-degree sexual assault of a young woman on University Avenue was released from jail Monday on a signature bond.

Mario Amaya has not yet been formally charged by the district attorney's office, but appeared in court Monday for a bail hearing. Court Commissioner Todd Meurer granted Amaya's release from jail on the condition he return to court for his initial appearance Sept. 21.

The alleged assault occurred in the early morning hours of Sept. 5 in the parking lot behind Ian's Pizza and the Vintage Bar and Grill.

According to Assistant District Attorney Mike Verveer, Amaya was employed at Ian's Pizza at the time the sexual assault took place. Verveer also said he was working in the kitchen the night of the attack. Amaya admitted to detectives that he saw the incident, but made no claims about his alleged involvement in the assault.

"[Mr. Amaya] was working in the kitchen that night, went outside and allegedly saw something occur," Verveer said. "He has admitted to detectives that he was present during the assault."

Ian's Pizza declined comment when reached by phone Monday night and owner Ian Gurfield could not be reached as of press time.

Verveer confirmed Amaya is in the United States under a legal work visa. To make it difficult to leave the country, the MPD has possession of his travel documents.

"The defendant has strong ties to the community and has been completely cooperative with investigating police detectives, which is why we didn't object to the signature bond," he said. "He is employed in our community, and he is here legally with a work visa."

Meurer also ordered Amaya to have no contact with the victim before his initial court appearance and not to leave Dane County.

For city officials, the increase in campus-area crimes and assaults is becoming a frightening trend, and their numbers will only continue to increase as Madison grows.

"We need [police] on the street keeping the peace between 2 and 4 [a.m]; it's especially the worst time to be out," Ald. Austin King, District 8, said in a previous interview with The Badger Herald regarding this incident. "We are really struggling downtown right now."

No new information was released about the three other suspects allegedly involved in the case, but police still encourage citizens with any information to call Crime Stoppers at (608) 266-6014.