Thread: CA: Undocumented immigrant pleads not guilty to kidnapping,..(update)

Undocumented immigrant pleads not guilty to kidnapping, rape
By Stacia Glenn
Created: 05/18/2010 06:35:40 PM PDT

An undocumented immigrant pleaded not guilty today to kidnapping and raping an Arizona woman whose body was found in a Barstow motel last week.

Cesar Omar Gonzalez Rascon, 31, entered his plea in Barstow Superior Court after being arraigned on charges of kidnapping for rape and rape of an unconscious person.

A judge set his bail at $1 million but officials have also placed an immigration hold on him at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.

Depending on autopsy results, Rascon could also face a murder charge for Melissa Curley's slaying.

Police say the 33-year-old woman had been renting a room at the Sunset Inn and went out with a friend Friday night. After her friend dropped her off, Rascon allegedly abducted Curley as she walked to her room. He then took her to a room he had rented next door to Curley's and stayed inside for a while before leaving alone in his vehicle.

When Curley's friend came to pick her up the next morning, he found her body and called 9-1-1.

"We haven't been able to determine the cause of death yet," said Sgt. Andrew Espinoza.

There were obvious signs that Curley had been sexually assaulted but detectives declined to reveal details about what evidence was uncovered in the room.

After learning that Rascon had rented the room where her body was found, they tracked down his vehicle and found him working at a fuel station in Yermo. He was arrested after being interviewed at police headquarters Saturday.

Rascon and Curley reportedly did not know each other but it's unclear whether they may have met earlier in the night.

It is unknown how long Rascon had worked in the area.

"He was trying to set up residence here," Espinoza said.

Coroner's officials said they are unsure when an autopsy would be performed on Curley to figure out how she died. Prosecutors will then determine whether to amend charges against Rascon.

"We'll review the autopsy results and make a determination," said Deputy District Attorney Sean Daugherty.

Rascon faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the charges.

Anyone with information on the slaying is asked to call Detective Leo Griego at 760-255-5187 or the Police Department at 760-256-2211. Anonymous tipsters may call 800-78-CRIME.

http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_15110931

By Lori Fowler, The Sun

Posted: 04/03/14, 4:14 PM PDT |

VICTORVILLE >> An undocumented immigrant has been convicted of kidnapping, raping and killing a 33-year-old Arizona staying at a Barstow motel.

Earlier today a jury panel found Cesar Omar Gonzalez Rascon guilty of all counts in connection with the murder of Melissa Curley, whose body was found in a Barstow motel in May 2010.

Rascon, 35, faces a sentence of life without the possibility of parole, according to the criminal complaint.

Jurors deliberated for about two hours at Victorville Superior Courthouse before announcing the verdict, according to court records.

Rascon was working at a gas station in Yermo at the time, officials said.

Curley had been renting a room at the Sunset Inn and went out with a friend on May 14, officials said. After her friend dropped her off, Rascon can be seen on surveillance video approaching Curley as she walked to her room.

Rascon took the woman to a room he had rented next door to Curley’s and stayed inside for a about an hour and a half before leaving alone in his vehicle, officials said.

The next morning Curley’s friend, who was also staying at the motel, went to check on her. When he found Curley’s body he called 9-1-1.

Rascon is scheduled to be sentenced on June 5.

http://www.sbsun.com/general-news/20...-barstow-motel