Molestation case has trial date

STAFF REPORT

A trial date has been set for a former Portales man accused of child molestation.

Rocky Banda, 35, was booked into Roosevelt County Detention Center on 10 counts of criminal sexual penetration of a child under 13, a first degree

Banda

felony, among several other charges on Feb. 28.

Banda was a former board member for the Roosevelt County Little League, who currently lives in Amarillo.

During his arraignment Monday morning, a trial date was set for Banda for June 10 with a pre-trial hearing set for May 5, according to Assistant District Attorney Jake Boazman, who said the trial date could be moved back if Banda’s attorney, Tye Harmon, files a motion for a hearing.

“I don’t anticipate it will go (to trial) the first time,” Boazman said, adding that Harmon had indicated there were issues he would like to address.

Despite the state’s objection, Banda’s bond was changed from $50,000 cash only to $50,000 cash or surety.

According to Roosevelt County Detention Center officials, Banda was seeking bond Monday afternoon but had not bonded out as of 4:30 p.m.