Booking photo for Raymond Castaneda (Courtesy: Cache County Jail).

LOGAN — A judge has bound Raymond A. Castaneda on charges that he sexually abused a second woman. The 22-year-old Smithfield man also pleaded not guilty to the latest charges.

Court records show Castaneda appeared in 1st District Court Monday afternoon. He is being charged with rape, aggravated kidnapping and forcible sodomy, all first-degree felonies; and aggravated assault, a second-degree felony.

According to a Smithfield City police report, Castaneda met the alleged victim on a dating app in June. In the weeks that followed, the woman claimed she was abused by the suspect, which culminated in being forcibly sodomized and choked to the point she momentarily lost consciousness.

Officers interviewed Castaneda earlier this month about the allegations. He originally claimed that there was no violence during his relationship with the woman. He later altered his story but insisted that they had a consensual relationship.

Castaneda was arrested the first time after police officers were called to investigate an alleged sexual assault, June 15. The woman reported to have been strangled and slapped by the suspect, her ex-boyfriend, while in his car. She had markings on her neck and other parts of her body. She claimed that she told Castaneda to get off her and to stop but he refused. He also restrained her and forced her to stay, when she tried to get away. He was charged with aggravated kidnapping, a first-degree felony; forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony; and aggravated assault, a third-degree felony.

Court records show, Castaneda previously was convicted of disorderly conduct, in two separate incidents. He also pleaded guilty to retail theft.

Castaneda remains in the Cache County Jail, held without bail. He is scheduled to appear again in court February 3 and could face up to life in prison if convicted on the two new cases.


will@cvradio.com



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