1 week Ago
STOCKTON, Calif. — A San Joaquin County judge provisionally set no bail for 41-year-old Dennis Lee , who is accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in Stockton on April 22. Lee said in court that he cannot afford an attorney and the judge appointed a public defender to represent him.
The judge said he will allow Lee's attorney to make a pitch for bail at the next hearing. Stockton police said last week that officers were looking for the 13-year-old after she was reported missing on Tuesday. Not long after the girl was last seen at her residence, a sexual assault was reported, according to police.
Investigators later learned she was walking near West Lane and the Calaveras River when a man approached her, forced her into his vehicle and sexually assaulted her. Lee is facing several charges related to sexual assault on a child, as well as kidnapping. Angela Hayes, the supervising deputy district attorney, listed five counts: “Forcible oral copulation of a child under 14, forcible digital penetration of a child under the age of 14, aggravated sexual assault, lewd act, forcible lewd act with a child under the age of 14 and kidnapping.
” It was also revealed in court Monday that Lee allegedly used an airsoft gun to force the 13-year-old into his car. He's also accused of forcing her to ingest marijuana. “Through some miracle, she was able to escape.
She was able to get out of the car and ran to a gas station, a local gas station, and was able to call 911," Hayes said. Lee had been out on bail at the time for a homicide case out of Alameda County. He also has a criminal history that includes manslaughter, prostitution and sexual assault .
Lee spoke out in court toward the end of the arraignment. "I'm innocent," he said. "It makes me look bad that way.
" Before he could finish, his attorney told him to be quiet. Lee has not entered a plea at this point. He is expected in court again on May 15.
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