by Antoinnette Borbon
Michael Isaiah Hernandez, 18, is charged with kidnapping, attempted rape, sex crimes on a minor, corporal injury, dissuading a witness and one count of assault.
His father and a close friend of the family sat listening as the charges were read. The defendant, with Deputy Public Defender Peter Borruso alongside him, pled not guilty to all charges.
Supervising Deputy District Attorney Garrett Hamilton, prosecuting the case, agreed to set a preliminary hearing for December 16 in Department 7.
According to witnesses, the defendant was seen dragging the alleged victim near McKinley Ave and Pendegast Street on Saturday, November 28, in an apparent attempt to commit sex crimes against the minor.
Hernandez fled on foot and was able to elude authorities until Sunday. A citizen identified him near a Main Street bus stop. He was taken into custody without incident.
The alleged victim was treated at Woodland Memorial Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries after the incident on Saturday.
Hernandez’s bail was set at $1.25 million.
The close family friend of Hernandez’s expressed concern about his mental state of mind, explaining that Hernandez had suffered a horrific past of sexual abuse.
“You don’t know what this kid has been through,” she told the Vanguard.
The friend may disclose more at a later date.
