A trial opened Monday for a man accused of sexually assaulting a teen in East Chicago between April 2017 and May 2018.
Pedro Castaneda Contreras, 49, of Brick, New Jersey, was charged in July 2021 with rape and sexual battery. He has pleaded not guilty.
The victim, then 16, told police Castaneda’s texts “became sexual.” She told cops he forced her to perform a sex act in a bathroom, then months later tried to have sex with her.
In later incidents, he either performed a sex act on her or forced her to perform a sex act, charges state.
In opening statements, his defense lawyer Michael Lambert argued that the girl’s accusations “fall apart” and “can’t be true.”
Castaneda does not appear to have been interviewed in charging documents.
Testimony will start Tuesday.
Deputy Prosecutors Shannon Phillips and Kasey Dafoe are assigned. The case is before Judge Samuel Cappas.
mcolias@post-trib.com
