The preliminary hearing for a man arrested on some serious charges associated with a domestic case was scheduled again Tuesday, the hearing ended up being a motions hearing instead with the defense arguing two motions in the case.
This coming after the the state decided they wanted to amend the complaint adding four alternate counts of human trafficking charges to the mix. The attorney for Steven Beranek argued that the state did not file an affidavit for probable cause, nor was there a first appearance on the new charges. Attorney Charlie O’Hara wanted the charges dismissed saying the state didn’t follow court procedure.
The state alleges the crimes were on going and that the preliminary hearing would give probable cause for the case to continue. Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell told the court that the defense would have ample opportunity to cross examine Beranek’s accusers.
After arguments, Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen granted the defense request and set a first appearance date of December 12, as well as a new date for the preliminary hearing of December 19.
The other motion was for a “bill of particulars” with the defense wanting to know specifics of the crimes charged and also specific dates. The judge denied the request saying that type of motion is meant to be brought up at the trial court level.
Beranek was already charged with abuse of a child, that being a 14-month old, aggravated endangerment of a child, criminal restraint and domestic battery. The case goes back to August of this year.
The adult female victim in the case was allegedly held against her will on a farmstead in the county. She at some point was able to get free and showed up at a restaurant in the county. Police and sheriff officials then began the investigation which was made more difficult because of her not speaking very much English.
Beranek is also alleged to have inflicted cruel and inhuman corporal punishment on the child and also placing the child in a situation where the child’s life, body or health could be in danger.