Saudi Sgt. due in court in Vegas child rape case
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- A judge is due to hear evidence in the case of a Saudi Arabia air force sergeant jailed since New Year's Eve after being accused of raping a 13-year-old boy in a Las Vegas Strip hotel room.
Thursday's preliminary hearing for Mazen Alotaibi will determine if there is enough evidence to send the case to trial in Nevada state court on charges that could put Alotaibi in prison for life if he is convicted.
The 23-year-old Alotaibi is accused of kidnapping, sexual assault with a minor and lewdness with a minor, among other charges.
Defense lawyer Don Chairez says he plans to plead not guilty.
Chairez says Alotaibi was drunk when he allegedly told police of an encounter with the boy at the Circus-Circus hotel-casino.
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