A man falsely accused of rape by a southeast Nebraska woman wants his lawsuit heard in U.S. District Court in Lincoln rather than in a state district court in Beatrice.

Elliott Hawkins, of Wymore, is suing over his 2011 arrest. The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount for lost earnings capacity, damage to his reputation and emotional distress, among other things.

On Jan. 2 Jennifer Valenta, of Wilber, was sentenced to 32 to 60 months in prison after pleading no contest to evidence tampering, false reporting and attempted prostitution.

The 28-year-old Valenta had told authorities she was raped by four men, including Hawkins, in November 2011. Investigators later determined her injuries were self-inflicted.

Hawkins filed the amended request Friday in Gage County District Court.