Los Angeles Man Charged with Kidnapping, Other Counts

Los Angeles Man Charged
with Kidnapping, Other Counts

May 6, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Joe Scott, Director of Communications
Sandi Gibbons, Public Information Officer
Jane Robison, News Secretary
(213) 974-3525

LOS ANGELES – A 35-year-old man who allegedly kidnapped an ex-girlfriend – holding the victim against her will for two weeks – is due to be arraigned this afternoon.

Deputy District Attorney June Chung of Norwalk Branch Office said Mario Menas (dob 11/05/72), charged in case No. VA105598, is due to be arraigned at East Los Angeles Superior Court, Department 5.

He faces three counts of kidnapping, two counts of residential burglary, one count of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of making criminal threats and two counts of sexual assault. Menas also is charged with one misdemeanor count of vandalism.

Prosecutors allege that the victim ended a romantic relationship with the defendant three months ago after learning that Menas was married and had children in his native country of Honduras.

While romantically involved, the two resided in a Maywood apartment with four others. The defendant moved out of the joint residence in late February. Following the break up, the victim began dating one of the roommates.

In March, Menas allegedly kidnapped the woman twice, followed by the most recent incident in which he allegedly held her hostage from April 16 to May 2. Menas forcibly raped and sodomized the victim between that time, according to the felony complaint.

Prosecutors further allege that the defendant burglarized the victim’s residence twice, assaulted the victim’s new boyfriend with a beer bottle, made criminal threats against the boyfriend and vandalized his vehicle.

Bail for the defendant was recommended at $300,000. If convicted as charged, Menas faces 33 years in state prison.

smd

Please read our Privacy Policy.