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Judge rules man will stand trial in kidnap, sexual abuse case
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More from Other NewsA judge today ruled during a preliminary hearing that there is sufficient evidence to hold Arthur Roy Melendez for trial for the kidnapping and sexually abuse of a 12-year-old boy.
Melendez, 23, allegedly used a knife to abduct the boy and force him into an alley behind an apartment complex on July 3, 2007, according to court testimony.
Prosecutor Gilbert Romero said in an interview that there is a special circumstance, which is kidnapping, and if convicted of the charges, Melendez could face 45 years to life.
Melendez, of Oxnard, is being held on a $950,000 bail.
Oxnard Detective Sharon Giles testified that the boy was walking home in the 900 block of Harrison Street sometime after 9 p.m. when someone approached him.
"He heard a male voice tell him to come here,'" said Giles. "He said, no.' "
Giles said she interviewed Melendez who initially denied sexually assaulting the boy.
Later, Giles said he changed his story and said the boy forced him to have sex with him. Giles said Melendez denied having a knife during the incident.
Under cross examination by Melendez's lawyer, William "Willie" Quest, Giles said the boy was shown a knife but denied it was the one used by Melendez.
Detective Sonia Sanchez testified that the pocket knife the boy was shown was hers and it was being used solely as a "point of reference" in this case. Later, police executed a search warrant and recovered a knife at Melendez's house.
Posted by mari on December 17, 2007 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
what a basterd... hope yourot in hell
Posted by collegestudentforlife on December 17, 2007 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe I'm reading this incorrectly but... how the does a 12-year-old boy force a 23-year-old man to have sex with him? That's the most riddiculous thing I have ever heard.
Posted by jjp009 on December 18, 2007 at 5:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What I think is even more ridiculous than the defense of a 12 year old boy forcing an adult male to do ANYTHING with him, is the fact that a 12 year old boy was walking the street at 9PM at night (or later as is states). Once again...where are the parents?? They are quite partly to blame for the crime against this child.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on December 18, 2007 at 6:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Have to agree with the first two comments.
As for the where were the parents.....perhaps the kid was walking half a block home from a friends home? Just a thought........BUT the parents are suffering enough without blaming them.
Happy Holidays!!!!!
Posted by AnnaWhaat on December 18, 2007 at 5:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bruceizaweeknee,People are so fast to blame the parents when you DO NOT even know the circumstances. Perhaps they were and perhaps they weren't. WHO are you to Judge anyone????
And remember ol Bubba will one day be out of prison and on the streets. He may be your neighbor. I wouldn't wish any rape on anyone. It just gives people sick tendencies......think about it.
Posted by OxnardBaby on December 18, 2007 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
your a SICK *S* PIG. Whats the problem you didn't have any one your age to have SEX with. YOUR a NO good B******.Hopefully when you get sentence from court you'll GET your time, and I mean YEARS. YOU PIG!!!!!!!!!!!
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