Quick Take
The ex-boyfriend of a Utah woman who was reported missing during a road trip to Santa Cruz County has pleaded not guilty to domestic violence charges, posted bail and no longer faces an arrest warrant, according to court records. Alex Nunez, 62, is free under several conditions as the case moves toward a Feb. 5 hearing.
The ex-boyfriend of a formerly missing Utah woman has pleaded not guilty to domestic violence charges and no longer faces arrest.
Utah resident Alex Nunez, 62, was charged with domestic battery and criminal threats in November after he reported that his ex-girlfriend had gone missing in Santa Cruz County while they were on a road trip.
Court records show that on Dec. 18, he was assigned a public defender and entered a not-guilty plea. He posted a $35,000 bail bond and an arrest warrant was canceled.
Nunez was released on bail and has to follow special conditions including wearing a GPS monitor, abstaining from controlled substances and alcohol, not owning or possessing a gun and following a temporary restraining order that requires him to stay away from his longtime partner, Danielle Staley, 35.
On Nov. 6, Nunez reported Staley missing. Weeks later, on Nov. 24, she was safely located. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office arrested Nunez on Nov. 26 and charged him with domestic battery and criminal threats. He posted a $25,000 bond and was released.
After Nunez failed to appear for his arraignment on Dec. 3, the court forfeited his bail and issued a warrant for his arrest. Shortly after, he told Lookout that it wasn’t his fault he missed the hearing. He blamed a miscommunication between the bail bonds company and the court.
Assistant District Attorney Kristal Salcido, a prosecutor in the case, told Lookout last week that it’s not clear whether or not the bail bonds company was responsible for Nunez missing his court date. During his arraignment on Dec. 18, she said, the court didn’t discuss what had happened.
His next scheduled hearing is Feb. 5, in Santa Cruz County Superior Court.
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