Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Man charged with raping 7-year-old girl

Cochachi-Macha being held on $100,000 bond


By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

Robert Cesar Cochachi-Macha

A 25-year-old man has been charged with raping a 7-year-old girl at a home where he was staying last week in the Woodside area of Hailey.

Robert Cesar Cochachi-Macha was arraigned on a felony rape charge Monday in Blaine County Magistrate Court. He remained incarcerated Tuesday on $100,000 bond in the Blaine County jail. The crime is punishable in Idaho by up to life in prison.

Hailey Police Chief Jeff Gunter said Cochachi-Macha was arrested last Friday evening following a complaint by the girl's mother.

"She called while she was en route to the hospital with the little girl, who was bleeding," Gunter said. "He was renting a bedroom from the family on Woodside Boulevard when it happened."

A probable-cause affidavit filed by Hailey police officer Manuel Ornelas alleges that the sexual attack occurred in Cochachi-Macha's bedroom. Ornelas further alleged that Cochachi-Macha became "aroused" after the girl "hugged him around the waist."

Ornelas also reported in the affidavit that a "sexual assault kit" was conducted on the girl at St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center and that "physical injuries were present."

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According to Blaine County court records, Cochachi-Macha has lived in Blaine County since at least 2005. He formerly worked in construction but has been unemployed.

Court records indicate that Cochachi-Macha is not a U.S. citizen but is in the United States legally. Jail records do not show an "immigration detainer" on Cochachi-Macha from the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, indicating that he is not suspected of being an illegal immigrant.

Blaine County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Matt Fredback said at Monday's arraignment hearing that Cochachi-Macha "went through deportation proceedings" in August 2009.

The Roark Law Firm was appointed as public defender. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on July 29.

Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com




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