A Vandalia man has made his first appearance with counsel in Fayette County Court and is facing 6 total counts, including two counts of First Degree Murder. 43 year old Arnold B. Rivera appeared in court via Zoom with counsel, Public Defender Lucas Mette, present as well as Fayette County State’s Attorney Brenda Mathis. Judge Martin Siemer noted that Mette had entered a motion for fitness evaluation on Monday. State’s Attorney Mathis informed that per statements made by Mette in his motion presenting he had a bonafide doubt to fitness, that the State did not object to the motion. With Judge Siemer granting the motion, a status hearing on the evaluation is now set for January 27 at 10:00am.
Rivera is charged with 2 counts of First Degree Murder. Information on the charges states that Rivera is alleged to have strangled the 14 year old juvenile with jumper cables. Both counts are Class M Felonies and carry a sentence of 20 to 60 years in prison. Rivera also faces 2 counts of Criminal Sexual Assault. The counts state that Rivera, who was a family member of the 14 year old juvenile, is alleged to have committed an act of sexual penetration with the juvenile. It also states that Rivera was a caretaker in a position of trust or supervision with the 14 year old juvenile. Both counts are Class 1 Felonies. Rivera also faces 1 count of Conceal Homicidal Death. Information on the charge states that Rivera–with the knowledge the juvenile had died by homicidal means–is alleged to have knowingly concealed the death by placing the body in a tote. That count is a Class 3 Felony. Rivera also faces a count of Conceal Death. Information on the charge says that Rivera is alleged to have moved the juvenile’s body from the place of death to allegedly conceal information. That count is a Class 4 Felony. Rivera does remain in the Fayette County Jail after agreeing to pre-trial detention.
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