BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) Authorities say a Bridgeport man who at first appeared to be a good Samaritan for offering to take in a stranger during a winter storm is charged with raping the woman.

Jefferson Sumpter was charged Tuesday with first-degree sexual assault, strangulation and unlawful restraint. He is being held on $500,000 bond.

Police tell the Connecticut Post the woman took a train from Guilford to Bridgeport on Feb. 1, 2015 to visit a friend, but because of the storm was unable to get back to the train station for the return trip.

Police say she went to a diner to wait out the storm where she met Sumpter, who offered to take her in. Investigators say when they got to his home he raped her.

Sumpter has denied raping the woman.