Kidnapping, sexual abuse charged

A Yuma man has been charged with kidnapping for allegedly abducting his ex-girlfriend and holding her captive for 10 hours while sexually assaulting her.

Ricardo “Ricky” Ayala, 28, was also charged Friday with three counts of sexual abuse, one count of burglary and one count of assault. All six of the counts were felonies and all were domestic violence-related.

Two other men were arrested for criminal hindering of prosecution: 36-year-old Chris Trickey and 22-year-old Miguel Aguilar. Trickey, previously held on a $80,000 bond, was also seen on Friday, but no charges were filed against him. Aguilar is due back in court Monday for his arraignment.

Ayala was arraigned Friday in Yuma Justice Court before Justice of the Peace Pro Tem Alicia Aguirre, who ordered that he remain held on a $250,000 bond set at a previous hearing. A representative from Amberly's Place spoke on behalf of the ex-girlfriend, saying the victim had been raped, tormented and physically abused and asking the court to keep the bond at the current amount.

The victim's representative said the ex-girlfriend was fearful of Ayala's release and that she was not his first victim, adding he had committed similar offenses against a previous girlfriend.

Ayala, who wore orange jail clothes, listened as Aguirre read the six charges in the criminal complaint filed against him. He tried to cover his face with a sheet of paper to prevent the media from photographing or videotaping him. He spoke only once, saying he wanted the court to appoint a public defender to represent him.

His next court appearance will be for a preliminary hearing at 4 p.m. Dec. 16.

Yuma police officers arrested Ayala Wednesday afternoon in a house in the 1400 block of East 22nd Place.

According to police, Ayala was being sought for allegedly forcing his estranged girlfriend from her apartment in the 700 block of East Country Club Drive at about 4 a.m. Dec. 1 and taking her to another apartment, where he held her against her will and physically and sexually assaulted her. She was able to escape 10 hours later.

At about 10:50 a.m. Wednesday, a Yuma police supervisor spotted two suspects, with one resembling Ayala, in the 2300 block of Olivia Avenue. When the suspects noticed the officer, they fled on foot. Officers set up a perimeter and performed door-to-door searches in the area of Mary and Olivia avenues, and 22nd Street and the levee.

Ayala was found with three other men and arrested. He was booked in the Yuma County Adult Detention Center on kidnapping, burglary, assault and additional charges.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.