The man accused of an attempted sexual assault on the Prairie Spirit Trail last October was formally arraigned in Anderson County District Court last week . Porfirio Dela Cruz-Cantu is charged with battery, criminal restraint and mistreatment of an elderly person in an incident October 24th where he allegedly clotheslined a 64 year old Ottawa woman as she rode her bike on the trail. She says he attempted to sexually assault her, stuffing leaves in her mouth to stifle her screams for help. She escaped by kicking away and rolling down the trail’s embankment and then running to a house for help.
If found guilty and not sentenced to prison, he is expected to be deported as U. S. immigrations officials have place a “hold” on his case, in which they will take him into custody if he is release for any reason. The court proceedings have been delayed due to Canto-Cruz needing an interpreter in court. A trial for the case has been set for June 30th.
