Jul 23, 2023

Mexican man charged with rape in Kan. jailed on $1 million bond

Posted Jul 23, 2023 1:00 AM
Vela photo Sedgwick County
Vela photo Sedgwick County

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Mexican man accused of a violent sex assault in 2007 in Wichita made his first court appearance in the case Thursday.

Roman Vela, 41, Monterrey, Mexico,  was charged with rape, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 10:30p.m. Wednesday, deputies booked  Vela into the Sedgwick County jail, according to online jail records. 

On April 28, the district attorney's office reported Vela was arrested at a border crossing between Mexico and Texas on an active Sedgwick County warrant  for one count of rape. He was  held in Webb County, Texas until the extradition to Kansas this week.

The arrest was the culmination of an ongoing effort between the Department of State in Mexico; Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) Mexico; HSI Kansas City, Mo., and the Sedgwick County DA's Office in Wichita.

Vela is due back in court July 31. He is being held on a one-million dollar bond.