Chevy Chase archaeological researcher, YouTuber facing 9 second-degree rape charges

‘Pillars of the Past’ creator Michael Raul Bilecky was guest of ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ in February

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April 22, 2026 11:48 a.m.

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A 41-year-old archaeological researcher and explorer from Chevy Chase, who shared his experiences and theories on “The Joe Rogan Experience” in early February, was arrested later that month and is facing multiple rape and assault charges.

Michael Raul Bilecky, creator of the “Pillars of the Past” YouTube show, faces nine counts of second-degree rape without consent, a felony charge, and nine counts of second-degree assault, which is a misdemeanor, according to online court records. The offenses allegedly occurred from April 2025 to January 2026.

Bilecky was arrested Feb. 27, the same month in which his episode with Rogan was released, Montgomery County District Court records indicate. Montgomery County police obtained a warrant for his arrest two days earlier.

James Papirmeister, Bilecky’s attorney, did not respond to Bethesda Today’s multiple requests for comments this week. A secretary at his office noted on Wednesday that he was in court for a trial until Friday.

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Charging documents for Bilecky have been sealed by the court, according to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, so details regarding the case, including who has accused Bilecky of rape, remain unclear.

According to the court records, Bilecky was ordered after his arrest to be held without bond in the county jail by Montgomery County District Court Judge John C. Moffett. Bilecky remains in custody at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in Boyds, according to VINE, a victim notification network that keeps track of the custody status of offenders.

Bilecky is a resident of the 4620 North Park condominium building in the Chevy Chase and Friendship Heights area, according to court records.

The charges are not the first time Bilecky has faced legal issues. In 2017, Bilecky, then 34, pleaded guilty to a federal charge of trafficking in circumvention devices related to a scheme in which he illegally sold computer software at below-market prices.

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According to federal court filings, Bilecky was sentenced to five years of probation. Three years later, in 2021, a federal judge granted Bilecky’s request for early termination of the probation.

In 2024, Bilecky launched Pillars of the Past, creating a platform to share his self-funded archaeological expeditions in Peru. During his expeditions, Bilecky explored ancient ruins and monuments, documented looting of tombs and destruction of archaeological sites and examined theories about ancient civilizations, according to his website and social media content.

His website states that his mission is to “document and protect ancient civilizations for future generations.” Bilecky chronicled his expeditions in videos shared on social media and YouTube.

Bilecky’s Pillars of the Past YouTube channel has more than 78,000 subscribers. On Instagram, the page has 137,000 followers and its Facebook page has 164,000 followers. Those social media accounts have not posted any new content since Feb. 27.

According to court records, a felony dismissal hearing for the case was scheduled for Friday but appears to have been canceled. During such hearings, the state must indict a defendant, or a judge can dismiss the charges, according to Maryland code and court rules. No other hearing dates related to Bilecky’s case are available.

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Originally published at Bethesdamagazine