SALEM — Bond was set at $50,000 Friday afternoon in Marion County Court for a 56-year-old Vandalia man accused of forcing his way into a Salem woman’s home and then forcing her to have sex with him.

According to Salem Police Chief Sean Reynolds, Dewayne Elam agreed to meet with the Salem PD Detective for an interview at the Vandalia Police Department Thursday. Following the interview, Elam was taken into custody and transported to the Marion County Jail on charges of alleged sexual assault by force and home invasion.

Salem police started their investigation into the alleged incident after receiving a report the afternoon of November 30 from a 42-year-old Salem woman saying Elam had shown up uninvited at her home in the 1700 block of North Broadway and forced his way into the home before forcibly having sex with her.

The two had apparently met on a dating app and had met in person once previously.

She told police she had his phone number, but not his whole name. Police were able to trace the number back to Elam. He was then placed in a line-up and was picked out by the alleged victim.

Elam told police he did not force his way into the home and the sex was consensual.

Judge Mark Stedelin set Elam’s bond Friday with conditions he have no contact with the woman, her home or her place of employment. Elam advised the court he would hire a private attorney and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for December 15.