A 43-year-old Hollister man is expected to enter a plea Tuesday
on a charge stemming from the suspected rape of a local woman in
June.
Hollister – A 43-year-old Hollister man is expected to enter a plea Tuesday on a charge stemming from the suspected rape of a local woman in June.
Authorities believe Martin Pareja, who works as a custodian for the Hollister School District, raped a woman with whom he had been bar hopping June 9 in a secluded area of the county. The victim went to the hospital that day.
On Wednesday, the San Benito County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Pareja, according to San Benito County Superior Court documents.
During an initial appearance Wednesday, a judge ruled that Pareja’s arraignment will be delayed until Tuesday so he can hire a lawyer, according to court documents.
A district deputy attorney had not been assigned to the case Thursday.
If convicted of rape, Pareja could face up to eight years in state prison, according to the California Penal Code.
Pareja is being held at the San Benito County Jail in lieu of $50,000 in bail.
