Trial dates set for former Uber driver accused of rape, kidnapping

Published 12:30 pm Monday, April 8, 2024

A Medford man accused of raping and kidnapping a woman in 2020 when he gave her an Uber ride will face a jury this summer.

Antonio Gonzalas-Salinas, 55, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, appeared virtually from the Jackson County Jail on Monday for a hearing in Jackson County Circuit Court, where Judge Kelly Ravassipour set dates for a three-day trial beginning July 30. 

A status conference was also set for July 25. 

Gonzalas-Salinas’ attorney Justin Rosas and Deputy District Attorney Sara Shaw, who was standing in for lead prosecutor Samantha Olson, agreed to the dates.

Rosas said after the hearing he had no comment.

Gonzalez-Salinas is charged with first-degree kidnapping, first-degree sexual abuse, attempt to commit a Class A felony and public indecency in connection to the alleged crimes against a 21-year-old female on Feb. 9, 2020. Gonzalez-Salinas was arrested at his Medford home days later.

He was released from jail on Nov. 6, 2020, when he posted $100,000 bond and signed a release agreement stating he would obey all laws while on pre-trial release.

In January, Gonzalez-Salinas was arrested again on new charges of sexually abusing two minors.

Gonzalez-Salinas is not due back in court on the kidnapping case until his pre-trial conference. 

Gonzalez-Salinas’ next court appearance in his latest sexual abuse case is June 17. The hearing date was set by Ravassipour after Gonzalez-Salinas’ court-appointed attorney, Zachary Newman, requested more time to review discovery materials and conduct an investigation, according to court records. 

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