A status hearing on a fitness evaluation for a Vandalia man charged with murder has been continued to February. 43-year old Arnold B. Rivera appeared in Fayette County Court via Zoom from Fayette County Jail on Tuesday for the hearing. During the hearing, States Attorney Brenda Mathis and Public Defender Lucas Mette both confirmed with Judge Alan Lolie that Dr. Caldwell had informed them that the evaluation had been completed but that the report was not ready at this time. With no available report at this time, the matter was continued to February 10 at 11am.
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.
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