Man pleads not guilty in attempted kidnapping, sexual assault case

A Laguna Hills man pleaded not guilty Monday to allegations that he plotted to have an underage teenage relative — who he allegedly raped — kidnapped and taken to Mexico, according to the Orange County Superior Court website.

Jesus Acosta, 58, is charged with 11 felonies, including soliciting to commit kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, rape, incest, dissuading a witness by force or threat and making criminal threats. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of violating a protective order.

Costa Mesa police arrested Acosta on Aug. 27, 2012. He faced initial charges of forcible rape, sodomy by force, incest and criminal threats.

His church congregation at Iglesia Cristo Rompe Las Cadenas de OC in Lake Forest reportedly raised the $100,000 necessary to bail him out of jail, and he was released 11 days after his arrest, authorities said.

Acosta reportedly tried to have the victim kidnapped and taken to Mexico in October 2012 to prevent her from testifying against him.

A Costa Mesa undercover detective met with Acosta, and believing the detective could carry out the kidnapping, Acosta told the detective where the girl could be taken in Mexico and that she should be left on a street and threatened to not return, police and prosecutors said.

Costa Mesa police arrested him as he attempted to leave the meeting.

Acosta also faces four sentencing enhancements for committing secondary offenses while out on bail, according to court documents.

Acosta, who also goes by the alias Jesus Acosta-Inchaorrondo, is due back in court for a pre-trial conference Oct. 7.

He faces nearly 30 years in state prison if convicted.