Prosecutors have filed new charges against a Hollister man and
known member of the Mongols biker gang who is accused of raping a
minor over an eight-year period, while the district attorney has
alleged that several of the latest felony counts against the
56-year-old occurred in Los Banos, according to court records.
Prosecutors have filed new charges against a Hollister man and known member of the Mongols biker gang who is accused of raping a minor over an eight-year period, while the district attorney has alleged that several of the latest felony counts against the 56-year-old occurred in Los Banos, according to court records.
Michael Reyes appeared in court Thursday for a hearing to precede a preliminary examination – to determine if there is enough evidence for trial – which Judge Steve Sanders scheduled for 2 p.m. May 13 at the San Benito County Courthouse.
Reyes was arrested by the Hollister Police Department on March 11, a day after an adult reported the allegations. He is accused of raping and assaulting the girl, still a minor at the time of arrest, over an eight-year period, while prosecutors initially filed 16 felony charges against him, along with an array of special allegations attached to the accusations that could enhance a penalty if he is convicted.
Prior to his hearing Thursday, though, prosecutors filed additional charges against Reyes, bringing the total of felony counts to 34. Some of the charges include allegations that Reyes assaulted the girl in Los Banos, and the local district attorney obtained approval from the Merced County District Attorney’s Office to prosecute the suspected incidents from there as well.
Merced County District Attorney Larry Morse noted in a letter to the judge: “The Hollister Police Department did the entire investigation and has established a rapport with the victim.”
The suspected crimes in the Reyes case started Jan. 1, 2002, according to court records.
