Bailed out by church, man accused of plotting to kidnap rape victim
A Laguna Hills man who was freed from jail after his church raised bail money has been charged with plotting to have a teenage relative -- whom he had allegedly raped -- kidnapped and taken to Mexico to prevent her from testifying against him.
Jesus Acosta, 58, pleaded not guilty Monday to 11 felonies in connection with the case, including rape, attempted kidnapping and dissuading a witness by force or threat.
Acosta was facing rape charges in August 2012 when the congregation at his Lake Forest church, Iglesia Cristo Rompe Las Cadenas de OC, raised $100,000 to bail him out of jail, authorities said.
While free on bail, authorities said he reportedly tried to have the alleged rape victim kidnapped and left on the streets in Mexico, authorities reported.
A Costa Mesa undercover detective said he met with Acosta, who allegedly tried to hire the officer to pull off the kidnapping.
Acosta allegedly told the detective where in Mexico he should drop off the teenager and said she should be left on the streets with the threat not to return, police and prosecutors said.
Acosta, who officials said also goes by the alias Jesus Acosta-Inchaorrondo, is scheduled for a pre-trial conference Oct. 7.
He faces nearly 30 years in state prison if convicted.
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Hannah Fry writes for Times Community News.
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