A Wendover cold case may be nearing partial closure fifteen years after it was first reported.
Eleno Camila will finally face trial for the rape of a Wendover woman he and Nestor Mendoza allegedly committed in June 1997.
Now 37 Camila was visiting Wendover, Utah when an anonymous caller tipped off police that the man wanted for so long had come home.
Arrested in November Camila was bound over to trial earlier this month.
Despite spending more than 15 years on the run, Camila was granted and posted bail, said West Wendover Police Sergeant David Wiskerchen.
“He made bail after his arrest this November,” Wiskerchen said Wednesday. “And showed up for his preliminary hearing January 4th. So we are hopeful he will show up if the case goes to trial.
Now 37, Camila was 22 at the time of the alleged rape. His supposed accomplice Nestor Mendoza still remains at large and his whereabouts unknown.
But while Camila seems to be ready to have his day in court after 15 years the case against him may be not be as strong as it once was.
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Sexual assault crimes are very difficult to prosecute even under the best circumstances with 15 soon to be 16 years since the alleged attack witnesses forget, evidence degrades and the opening for reasonable doubt only grows larger.