Leonel H. Galindo, Great Bend, has been formally charged with forcible rape, alleged to have happened Jan. 5 outside a rural Great Bend nightclub. His preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. on Feb. 21 at the Barton County Courthouse.
The alleged rape was reported to the Barton County Sheriff’s Office at 3:16 a.m. on Jan. 5, after the woman left The House (formerly Willy J’s), a night club at 206 North U.S. 281, and told someone what had happened to her. Reports show the woman, who is 19 years old, met Galindo at the bar and did not previously know him. When they left the bar and were in a vehicle in the parking lot, she said she tried to stop the reported assault. Officers found the vehicle and later arrested Galindo at a residence.
Originally booked into the Barton County Jail in lieu of $300,000 bond, Galindo was charged with one count of rape; sexual intercourse without consent. The charge alleges the victim was overcome by force or fear.
Galindo appeared before Magistrate Judge Don Alvord on Jan. 15, and Great Bend attorney Jane Isern was appointed as his legal counsel. At a later hearing his bond was reduced to $10,000 with conditions that include no contact with the victim or witnesses, and he was released after posting a surety bond on Jan. 23.
Assistant County Attorney Amy Mellor is handling the prosecution of this case.