Man Accused Of Luring Children Into Home For Sex
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Authorities in Las Vegas are trying to determine how many children may have been lured with promises of candy into the apartment of a 63-year-old man now jailed on child kidnapping, sexual assault and lewdness charges.
A public defender representing Jose Azucena didn't immediately respond Thursday to messages about allegations that Azucena groped, kissed and exposed himself to several neighbor children during the last year.
Azucena, who also used the name David Azucena, was arrested Nov. 12 in Henderson and jailed without bail in Las Vegas, records show.
He's due for a court appearance on Monday on 10 felony charges. The kidnapping count carries the possibility of life in state prison if he's convicted.
Police said in a statement that Azucena, who lived for several years at the apartment complex east of downtown Las Vegas, "allegedly would lure the children to his apartment with the promise of candy, and then commit sexual acts."
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports (http://bit.ly/2fJoieO) that two mothers notified police a month ago that their children didn't report the alleged encounters because Azucena threatened that if they did, "he would take the girls far away and kill their mothers."
Four children told police the they were sometimes attacked in Azucena's apartment, and sometimes in an outdoor play area.
Several children also told police he showed them pornographic videos on his cellphone.
One mother told detectives her daughters tell her they have nightmares about Azucena standing at their windows at night.
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