A preliminary hearing for one of three men accused of several felonies, including kidnapping last year, is scheduled to be held this week. The men are accused of holding two females against their will, raping and assaulting them and demanding ransom money.
According to a probable-cause statement, members of multiple law-enforcement agencies arrived at the scene of the reported kidnapping at the Super 8 Motel in Higginsville and arrested the three men on April 26.
Court documents say Jaciel Acdala Mendez-Morales’ has been charged with two counts of a Class A Felony for Kidnapping in the First Degree; and two counts of Unclassified Felonies for Rape or Attempted Rape in the First Degree and Sodomy or Attempted Sodomy in the First Degree. His bond originally was set at $100,000; then was increased to $250,000 and then to $500,000 cash or surety on April 27.
Mendez-Morales’ hearing is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16, at Lafayette County Circuit Court.
Others charged in the case are Alain Gaspar Camarillo-Linan ($750,000 bond) and Luis Angel Sierra-Vallina ($500,000 bond). Their cases still are being litigated, as well.