A 27-year-old man arrested last Friday on a charge of rape and other serious felonies saw his bond increased again after he made a first appearance on the charges against him. Craig Lee Gooch now has a bond of a half million facing charges of rape, aggravated kidnapping, two alternate theories or counts of aggravated robbery, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated burglary, aggravated intimidation of victim or witness, criminal threat and interference with law enforcement.

It started at approximately 8:42 a-m, Friday when officers of the Hutchinson Police Department were dispatched to the 300 block of East 6th for a report of a possible abduction of a Hutchinson woman.

The initial investigation revealed that 27-year-old Craig Gooch had kidnapped the woman, then sexually assaulted her. He then left on foot, but less then an hour later, was located at a residence in the 700 block of East 3rd.

In court Monday, Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell asked for the increase in bond stating the seriousness of the offense, and his prior criminal history. He has just been released from prison back in January for convictions of attempted aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary out of Leavenworth County.

The defendant told the judge “this is all crazy,” and that they wouldn’t find his DNA with the victim. He says “its my word against someone else and that it will all be worked out.”

The alleged victim was in court with family members Monday and at one point began to weep as the defendant argued over whether he committed the crimes.

With the state filing formal charges, the case will now be placed on a waiver-status docket in front of Judge Joe McCarville.