Mormon Island child rape suspect pleads not guilty

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - One of the two men charged with raping a 15-year-old boy at Mormon Island this summer has pleaded not guilty

Angel Landera, 28, Grand Island, is charged with two counts of first-degree sexual assault on a child, one count of human trafficking of a minor and one count of obstructing a peace officer.

Landera pleaded Tuesday not guilty to all charges. A pretrial hearing is scheduled in December and a jury trial is scheduled Jan. 4, 2021. The max penalty for conviction on the charges is life in prison. Landera is also a registered sex offender.

The Hall County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened July 27. Authorities said they received a report that there was illegal activity involving adults and a teenager at the campsite. Court records indicate that the boy told investigators that Landera forced him into sexual acts against his will in a restroom and then later in a shower building at Mormon Island.

Michael Nicewonder, 32, Grand Island, is also charged in connection with the case. Nicewonder, who is also a registered sex offender, is charged with third-degree sexual assault of a child and contributing to the delinquency of a child. His case is pending.