Four defendants charged with kidnapping for extortion charges will be tried for less serious crimes relating to the alleged abduction of a 14-year-old girl in San Diego who was driven to an Oceanside motel where she posed for nude photographs that were posted on the Internet.
The Vista Superior Court Judge said the evidence did not support the extortion charges because the girl willingly went with the defendants and left when the defendants were asleep. Addtionally, he said, a major element of the kidnapping for extortion charge - that it be done to gain reward or ransom - did not appear to apply to the case.
The defendants were bound over for trial at the conclusion of a three-day preliminary hearing on other felony charges, including human trafficking of a victim under the age of 16, pandering of a victim under 16, employment of a minor to perform prohibited acts and robbery. The defendants could face at least 10 years in prison if convicted of all the remaining counts.
San Diego criminal defense attorneys, such as those at Pro Law Partners, regularly defend individuals charged with serious felony charges. Finding a qualified San Diego criminal defense attorney who knows how difficult it can be to navigate the law is important.
