Sioux Center — A Sioux Center man who is the subject of a felony-level case, is now accused of witness tampering.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Sioux County Clerk of Court’s Office by the county sheriff’s office, 47-year-old Onofre Bernardo Mendez of Sioux Center is accused of forcing himself upon a victim against the victim’s will in December of last year. He was originally arrested in February.
In his statement, the deputy says that during an ongoing investigation, Bernardo Mendez allegedly offered cash to the victim with the intent to influence her police testimony.
Bernardo Mendez was originally charged with third-degree sexual abuse, a class C felony. If convicted, he could face up to ten years in prison. Now he faces an additional misdemeanor charge of tampering with a witness.
At last report, Bernado Mendez remained in the Sioux County Jail in Orange City without bond.
