GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) – One of the two men charged with raping a 15-year-old boy at Mormon Island this summer is headed to trial court.
Angel Landera, 28, Grand Island, is charged with two counts of first-degree sexual assault on a child and one count of human trafficking of a minor. Two other counts of aiding and abetting the sexual assault of a child and obstructing a peace officer were dropped after Landera waived a probable cause hearing. A judge Wednesday then transferred the case to Hall County District Court for possible trial. Landera is next scheduled in court October 6 for a hearing at which he would plead guilty or not guilty to the charges. Landera is also a registered sex offender. The max penalty for conviction on the charges is life in prison.
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened July 27. Authorities said they received a report that there was illegal activity involving adults and a 15-year-old boy at the campsite. Court records indicate that the boy told investigators that Landera forced him into sexual acts against his will in a restroom and then later in a shower building at Mormon Island.
Michael Nicewonder, 32, Grand Island, is also charged in connection with the case. Nicewonder, who is also a registered sex offender, is charged with third-degree sexual assault of a child and contributing to the delinquency of a child. His case is pending.
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