Ariel Castro Update: 'Sexually Violent Predator' Charged With 329 Counts Including Rape, Kidnapping and Murder
Ariel Castro has been indicted on 329 charges related to his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and rape of three women in Cleveland.
The charges range from kidnapping and rape to aggravated murder, according to The Associated Press.
Castro is accused of kidnapping and holding 27-year-old Amanda Berry, 21-year-old Gina DeJesus and 32-year-old Michelle Knight in his Cleveland home along with his child by Berry. The four captives were rescued on May 6 after Berry managed to alert neighbors and call police.
Castro, who was fired from his job as a school bus driver last fall, was indicted by the Cuyahoga County grand jury. The 52-year-old faces one count of possession of criminal tools, one count of aggravated murder, three counts of felony assault, seven counts of sexual imposition, 139 counts of rape, and 177 counts of kidnapping for the period of August 2002 to February 2007, according to the USA Today.
The grand jury deems Castro a "sexually violent predator" and ties the murder charge to one of the victim's pregnancies, reports the USA Today. Castro can still face further charges and County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty says it is still being determined weather or not the court will seek the death penalty.
Castro is currently being held on $8 million bail.
