The sentencing of Cristhian Bahena Rivera is delayed following a motion filed by the defense citing news details in the murder of Mollie Tibbetts.On May 28, a jury found Bahena Rivera guilty of first-degree murder in Tibbetts’ death.Court documents obtained Monday state that someone else admitted to Tibbetts’ murder and that a state prison inmate came forward with the information after Bahena Rivera’s guilty verdict.The inmate allegedly said Tibbetts was kidnapped for sex trafficking and bound and gagged in a trap house but that he was directed to kill Tibbetts once the search for her got too close.The man also allegedly said he was directed by the sex trafficker in charge to stab Tibbetts and dump her body near a Hispanic male to make it look like the Hispanic male committed the crime.The name of the inmate who allegedly admitted to killing Tibbetts has not been revealed.According to court documents filed Tuesday, a search warrant obtained by the defense “corroborates the ‘trap house’ account” made by the inmate.The defense said the search warrant it received focuses on a sex trafficking ring allegedly operated by a man out of New Sharon in 2018.The warrant reportedly states that the man met with a sex trafficking victim in Brooklyn and details “the torture and sexual abuse the victim endured while being held hostage at the trap house.”The defense went on to report a connection between the man and the mother of missing Montezuma boy Xavior Harrelson.According to court documents, the man and Sarah Harrelson had a relationship and lived together before being evicted in 2018. The defense claims an independent investigation it conducted revealed the man may have been one of the last people to see Xavior before his disappearance on May 27.In the court filing, the defense claims that state attorneys failed to turn over reports regarding trap houses and kidnapping in or near Poweshiek County, including at least 10 children reported missing in the area. A hearing will be held Thursday on a motion for the state to produce any evidence it may have regarding a sex trafficking operation.KCCI previously reported that a hearing regarding the motion for a new trial would be heard Thursday. That hearing will not take place until after Thursday’s hearing takes place.
The sentencing of Cristhian Bahena Rivera is delayed following a motion filed by the defense citing news details in the murder of Mollie Tibbetts.
On May 28, a jury found Bahena Rivera guilty of first-degree murder in Tibbetts’ death.
Court documents obtained Monday state that someone else admitted to Tibbetts’ murder and that a state prison inmate came forward with the information after Bahena Rivera’s guilty verdict.
The inmate allegedly said Tibbetts was kidnapped for sex trafficking and bound and gagged in a trap house but that he was directed to kill Tibbetts once the search for her got too close.
The man also allegedly said he was directed by the sex trafficker in charge to stab Tibbetts and dump her body near a Hispanic male to make it look like the Hispanic male committed the crime.
The name of the inmate who allegedly admitted to killing Tibbetts has not been revealed.
According to court documents filed Tuesday, a search warrant obtained by the defense “corroborates the ‘trap house’ account” made by the inmate.
The defense said the search warrant it received focuses on a sex trafficking ring allegedly operated by a man out of New Sharon in 2018.
The warrant reportedly states that the man met with a sex trafficking victim in Brooklyn and details “the torture and sexual abuse the victim endured while being held hostage at the trap house.”
The defense went on to report a connection between the man and the mother of missing Montezuma boy Xavior Harrelson.
According to court documents, the man and Sarah Harrelson had a relationship and lived together before being evicted in 2018.
The defense claims an independent investigation it conducted revealed the man may have been one of the last people to see Xavior before his disappearance on May 27.
In the court filing, the defense claims that state attorneys failed to turn over reports regarding trap houses and kidnapping in or near Poweshiek County, including at least 10 children reported missing in the area.
A hearing will be held Thursday on a motion for the state to produce any evidence it may have regarding a sex trafficking operation.
KCCI previously reported that a hearing regarding the motion for a new trial would be heard Thursday. That hearing will not take place until after Thursday’s hearing takes place.