OFF THE WIRE
freelancenews.com
Hollister, CA - A 56-year-old Hollister man and a known member of the Mongols motorcycle gang pleaded not guilty today to 16 felony counts in connection with allegations he continually raped and assaulted a minor over an eight-year span.
Michael Reyes, 56, was arrested by the Hollister Police Department on March 11, a day after an adult reported the crimes, while the suspected victim still is a minor.
Reyes appeared at the San Benito County Courthouse this afternoon for an arraignment. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Deputy District Attorney Karen Forcum followed up by noting prosecutors planned to file an amended complaint because the suspected crimes occurred in the other jurisdictions.
Judge Steven Sanders scheduled his next hearing, a preliminary examination, for 2 p.m. April 15.
Prosecutors last week filed the charges and related special allegations - which could enhance a potential penalty for each conviction - for most of the accusations.
The suspected crimes started Jan. 1, 2002. Prosecutors allege on that day, Reyes committed continued sexual abuse of a child, sexual penetration with a sexual object and lewd or lascivious acts. Those charges included a total of four special allegations alleging use of force or "substantial sexual conduct," according to court records.
On Jan. 1, 2005, charges allege Reyes committed rape by force or fear and lewd or lascivious acts - with a total of four special allegations.
On April 20, 2005, they allege he committed rape by force or fear and lewd or lascivious acts, with three special allegations for the latter allegation.
They suspect a couple of weeks later, Reyes again committed rape and lewd or lascivious acts, with three more special allegations. Six months after that, prosecutors allege the same two crimes occurred.
Prosecutors also included four felony charges accusing Reyes of seducing a child under 14, each of the times in 2005, while there were special allegations added for three of the suspected incidents, according to records.
Additionally, the district attorney charged Reyes alleging forcible acts of sexual penetration of a child for the suspected January 2002 incidents.
