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Man charged in Great Bend teen's death
Published 9/8/2010 in Local News
By DARCY GRAY
Special to The Telegram
GREAT BEND — A 36-year-old man has been charged with capital murder in the death of a Great Bend girl whose burned body was found at the asphalt plant where he worked.
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Associated Press Adam Joseph Longoria, right, sits across Kansas Attorney General Steve Six, left, Tuesday in Barton County District Court in Great Bend. He was charged with capital murder in the death of Alicia DeBolt. He also faces charges of sodomy.
The new charges against Adam Joseph Longoria allege he sexually assaulted and killed 14-year-old Alicia DeBolt on Aug. 21 or Aug. 22.
Longoria was already being held in Barton County on charges of vehicular burglary and theft. On Tuesday, Barton County District Judge Hannelore Kitts increased his $150,000 bond to $1.5 million after additional charges of capital murder and criminal sodomy were filed against him.
The "intentional and premeditated" killing of DeBolt "was done in commission of, or subsequent to, the crime of criminal sodomy or an attempt thereof" against DeBolt, the capital murder charge alleges.
Kansas Attorney General Steve Six said the $1.5 million bond was "appropriately set to ensure public safety."
Longoria is being represented by attorneys with the Kansas Death Penalty Defense Unit, as the murder charge carries a potential death sentence. He appeared in court with attorney Jeff Wicks, although Tim Frieden, former Reno County chief public defender, has also been assigned to represent him.
Six said he has not yet made a decision on whether to seek the death penalty for Longoria. He said his office would be considering the evidence in the case, including what is "believed to be aggravating and mitigating factors," before the decision is made.
A preliminary hearing has not yet been scheduled in the case, and Six said attorneys would have a phone conference Friday to discuss a possible hearing date.
DeBolt was last seen Aug. 21 when she left her home with a 19-year-old man to meet friends, her sister, Dawn DeBolt, previously told The News. When DeBolt didn't return home, her mother reported her missing to Great Bend police the next day. Described by friends as an outgoing, friendly cheerleader, DeBolt didn't show up to the first day of her freshman year at Great Bend High School on Aug. 23.
Her burned body was found Aug. 24 near a gravel pile at a Venture Corp. asphalt plant, about five miles southwest of Great Bend. Investigators used dental records to identify the body.
After authorities searched the Great Bend home where Longoria was staying, he allegedly stole a 2002 Ford Explorer from Venture Corp., his former employer, and fled the area. A statewide alert was released regarding his disappearance, and a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper pulled over and arrested Longoria on Aug. 27 on I-70, about 17 miles west of Salina in Lincoln County.
Authorities "believe this is the correct person being charged" in DeBolt's death, Six said Tuesday, but he noted Longoria is "presumed innocent" until proven guilty.
The investigation is ongoing, and although people are still being interviewed, Six said he did not expect anyone else would be charged in the case.
He thanked the Great Bend community for their patience as the case developed, and he said state and local law enforcement officers have been "working tirelessly to get to the point where we are today."
Six said he met with DeBolt's family members over the weekend to inform them of the progress in the case. He said the family is "still shocked and completely devastated."
Six would not comment on the cause of death in the case. He declined to provide further details about the investigation, including what evidence investigators have discovered. He said comments and rumors on the Internet are "completely off base."
"Credible information will be set forth in court," Six said.
According to the complaint, Longoria, who has a lengthy criminal history, was also known as "Giero" or "Roy Gilbert Alvarez."
Longoria was released May 25 from a Texas prison after serving a seven-year sentence for aggravated robbery. He has also previously served time in Texas for escape from prison, evading arrest, burglary, forgery, credit card abuse, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
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