Chesterfield (VA) head deacon charged in 2 rapes

[Key Guy]

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch, VA, USA

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/OSCR09_20090508-223108/266710/

Quote:

Published: May 9, 2009

A laborer recently charged with raping two women in Richmond and Chesterfield County is the head deacon of the Richmond Evangelistic Center of Seventh-day Adventist at 5300 Walmsley Blvd., church members say.

The church's pastor and the pastor's wife believe the arrest of Oscar A. Rivera-Licona, 34, is a case of mistaken identity. Rivera-Licona has been charged with multiple counts of rape, abduction, robbery and felony gun charges.

"He's a very active member of the church, has always served the people and he works close to my husband," said Rosa Olivera, wife of the church's pastor, Luis Linan-Olivera. "He was very careful with the people, and we don't feel like he's a criminal. We strongly believe that there is another person" responsible for the crimes.

But Chesterfield police Capt. Robert Skowron said investigators have DNA evidence linking Rivera-Licona to the armed abduction and rape of a young woman Nov. 14 in the Chesterfield Village Apartments.

In that case, police said, a man approached the victim, in her early 20s, as she left her vehicle on Belasco Drive about 11:15 p.m. He displayed a gun and forced the woman into a wooded area, where he attacked her, police said.

Chesterfield authorities charged Rivera-Licona on April 23, 13 days after Richmond police charged him in the March 24 rape of a woman in the 2200 block of Ingram Avenue. Assistant Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney Cynthia Mikland, who is prosecuting the case, couldn't be immediately reached for details about that offense.

In the Richmond case, Rivera-Licona has been charged with rape, abduction, robbery of a residence and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, records show.

Rosa Olivera said she and her husband have known Rivera-Licona for more than five years and that he came here from Honduras with two brothers after their father was murdered by some young delinquents he was trying to help.

"They came here because they fear for their life," Olivera said. "When he was in Honduras, they were trying to kill them also. The day before he was arrested, I was talking to him at the church and he was telling me all the horrible things that happened to his family."

Rivera-Licona has a wife and child in Honduras and has worked as a laborer since arriving here, Olivera said.

As head deacon, Rivera-Licona greeted congregation members as they arrived for Saturday services and oversaw the church's maintenance needs.

The church's pastor was in Italy this week and wasn't immediately available for comment, his wife said.

Rivera-Licona's most recent address was the 2100 block of Treemont Court in Richmond. He is scheduled to appear in court May 19 on the Richmond charges and June 17 on the Chesterfield charges.

[Woody]

Let's pray that he is found innocent and not deported.

[phkrause]

If he is found not guilty, which at this point he should be until found guilty! I do pray that it is a matter of mistaken identity.

pk

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

DNA evidence is hard to refute.

[phkrause]

So I take it they have DNA evidence?

pk

[Outta Here]

Yes, the article states, "But Chesterfield police Capt. Robert Skowron said investigators have DNA evidence linking Rivera-Licona to the armed abduction and rape of a young woman Nov. 14 in the Chesterfield Village Apartments."

While it is sad that a member of the Adventist community has been accused of such heinous crimes, I pray that justice--not vengeance--will prevail.

[phkrause]

That's sad than. I only read the first few paragraph's of the opening post, so I missed where it said they had DNA evidence. I actually stop reading when I read the pastor and his wife's comments that they hoped it was a case of mistaken identity. But with DNA evidence, you can't get around that.

pk

[Luis Linan Olivera]

On May 8, 2009 at 11:34 PM, timewarp said:

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch, VA, USA

 

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/OSCR09_20090508-223108/266710/

 

 

Quote:

Published: May 9, 2009

 

A laborer recently charged with raping two women in Richmond and Chesterfield County is the head deacon of the Richmond Evangelistic Center of Seventh-day Adventist at 5300 Walmsley Blvd., church members say.

 

The church's pastor and the pastor's wife believe the arrest of Oscar A. Rivera-Licona, 34, is a case of mistaken identity. Rivera-Licona has been charged with multiple counts of rape, abduction, robbery and felony gun charges.

 

"He's a very active member of the church, has always served the people and he works close to my husband," said Rosa Olivera, wife of the church's pastor, Luis Linan-Olivera. "He was very careful with the people, and we don't feel like he's a criminal. We strongly believe that there is another person" responsible for the crimes.

 

But Chesterfield police Capt. Robert Skowron said investigators have DNA evidence linking Rivera-Licona to the armed abduction and rape of a young woman Nov. 14 in the Chesterfield Village Apartments.

 

In that case, police said, a man approached the victim, in her early 20s, as she left her vehicle on Belasco Drive about 11:15 p.m. He displayed a gun and forced the woman into a wooded area, where he attacked her, police said.

 

Chesterfield authorities charged Rivera-Licona on April 23, 13 days after Richmond police charged him in the March 24 rape of a woman in the 2200 block of Ingram Avenue. Assistant Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney Cynthia Mikland, who is prosecuting the case, couldn't be immediately reached for details about that offense.

 

In the Richmond case, Rivera-Licona has been charged with rape, abduction, robbery of a residence and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, records show.

 

Rosa Olivera said she and her husband have known Rivera-Licona for more than five years and that he came here from Honduras with two brothers after their father was murdered by some young delinquents he was trying to help.

 

"They came here because they fear for their life," Olivera said. "When he was in Honduras, they were trying to kill them also. The day before he was arrested, I was talking to him at the church and he was telling me all the horrible things that happened to his family."

 

Rivera-Licona has a wife and child in Honduras and has worked as a laborer since arriving here, Olivera said.

 

As head deacon, Rivera-Licona greeted congregation members as they arrived for Saturday services and oversaw the church's maintenance needs.

 

The church's pastor was in Italy this week and wasn't immediately available for comment, his wife said.

 

Rivera-Licona's most recent address was the 2100 block of Treemont Court in Richmond. He is scheduled to appear in court May 19 on the Richmond charges and June 17 on the Chesterfield charges.

I am the pastor Luis Linan Olivera who was with Oscar Rivera Licona the night of November 14, 2008. We were decorating the church until 1 o'clock in the morning the day November 15, 2008 because a famous preacher Adventist Church Pastor Alejandro Bullon had an evangelistic campaign with us. Oscar Rivera Lipona was interested Coordinator of the Church.
I can not understand how he could be convicted of his DNA, because he was with me and other brothers on the night of November 14, 2008 it was Friday and we keep the Sabbath day as a holy day.
The girl who accused Oscar went to speak with my wife Rosa to church before Oscar was convicted, she approached her to ask her Oscar because she said she did not know him and had not seen him; unfortunately when investigations were made I was in Italy as Guest Speaker in an evangelistic campaign.
If any reader could help me to help Oscar, I will be thankful, I don't know how can I help Oscar, because he suffers a terrible injustice. 
Please pray for Oscar Rivera Licona, who according Hector Cruz a Chaplain of Jails, Oscar Rivera Licona is a missionary in the jail, giving Bible studies in the jail and has won many souls for Christ. Now I feel it is necessary to bring to light what I feel in my heart and to see Oscar get out of jail quickly. God bless you.

[Luis Linan Olivera]

I am the pastor Luis Linan Olivera who was with Oscar Rivera Licona the night of November 14, 2008. We were decorating the church until 1 o'clock in the morning the day November 15, 2008 because a famous preacher Adventist Church Pastor Alejandro Bullon had an evangelistic campaign with us. Oscar Rivera Lipona was interested Coordinator of the Church.
I can not understand how he could be convicted of his DNA, because he was with me and other brothers on the night of November 14, 2008 it was Friday and we keep the Sabbath day as a holy day.
The girl who accused Oscar went to speak with my wife Rosa to church before Oscar was convicted, she approached her to ask her Oscar because she said she did not know him and had not seen him; unfortunately when investigations were made I was in Italy as Guest Speaker in an evangelistic campaign.
If any reader could help me to help Oscar, I will be thankful, I don't know how can I help Oscar, because he suffers a terrible injustice. 
Please pray for Oscar Rivera Licona, who according Hector Cruz a Chaplain of Jails, Oscar Rivera Licona is a missionary in the jail, giving Bible studies in the jail and has won many souls for Christ. Now I feel it is necessary to bring to light what I feel in my heart and to see Oscar get out of jail quickly. God bless you.