Rogers Man Withdraws Guilty Pleas

— A Rogers man has withdrawn his guilty pleas to several felony charges in connection with home break-ins and sexually assaulting three women.

Jose Luis Molina-Pleitez, 21, pleaded guilty in June to three counts of sexual assault in the second degree, a Class B felony; and two counts of residential burglary, a Class B felony. He admitted to breaking into two homes and also admitted to sexual assault. Deputy Prosecutor A.J. Anglin agreed to dismiss other criminal charges.

At A Glance

The Charges

Jose L. Molina-Pleitez, 21, is charged with rape, a Class Y felony; two counts of sexual assault, a Class B felony; three counts of residential burglary, a Class B felony; four counts of attempted residential burglary, a Class C felony; and indecent exposure, a Class A misdemeanor.

Source: Staff Report

The plea came without the benefit of a plea agreement, so Molina-Pleitez’s punishment was up to Circuit Judge Jon Comstock.

On Monday, Comstock granted a request from Mauricio Herrera, Molina-Pleitez’s attorney, for his client to withdraw the guilty pleas. The case will now resume from where it was in June with a hearing concerning the suppression of evidence. That hearing is set for Dec. 14.

Molina-Pleitez was arrested Dec. 9, 2010, in connection with a string of criminal incidents reported in east Rogers. Police gathered information that led to Molina-Pleitez, who later admitted to breaking into several houses.

He agreed to ride with police officers and point out the houses. Molina-Pleitez told police he would leave his home dressed, then take off his clothes and hide them. Molina-Pleitez admitted being naked at times, claimed he wore gloves at times, but always wore a cap, according to the arrest affidavit. Molina-Pleitez later gave police a pair of black gloves and a black stocking cap, according to court documents.

Molina-Pleitez is being held in the Benton County Jail on $75,000 bond.

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