Man May Face Trial In Alleged RivCo Torture, Attempted Murder

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A South Dakota man accused of kidnapping his girlfriend and holding her at a Desert Hot Springs RV park where he allegedly tortured and raped her is scheduled to return to court Monday for a preliminary hearing at which a judge will decide whether a trial is warranted.

John Leo Hemmer, 46, is charged with 12 felony counts including rape, torture, attempted murder and spousal abuse.

At Monday's preliminary hearing, a judge at the Larson Justice Center in Indio will decide if prosecutors have sufficient evidence to warrant ordering Hemmer to stand trial.

Riverside County sheriff's deputies went to a KOA campground at 70405 Dillon Road in response to a domestic violence call about 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 6, 2019, sheriff's Sgt. Francisco Velasco said at the time.

"The reporting party stated her boyfriend had assaulted her and she was prevented from leaving," he said.

When deputies arrived, they found the victim with numerous non-life- threatening injuries. She was taken to a hospital, and Hemmer was later arrested.

Hemmer is being held at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning without bail.

—City News Service