Suspect bound over for trial on stalking charges

The 41-year-old man charged with stalking in a case likely connected to the October 2020 disappearance of a Loyal woman was bound over for trial following a May 7 preliminary hearing in Clark County Circuit Court. A new judge was also appointed in the case against Jesus Contreras-Perez, who is being held in jail on a $25,000 cash bond.

Contreras-Perez was charged on April 27 with a Class F felony of stalking-resulting in bodily harm/domestic abuse. The victim in that case was not identified in the criminal complaint, but the complaint does state the victim has not been seen nor heard from since Oct. 3, 2020. That is the same date that 27-year-old Cassandra Ayon of Loyal went missing after spending a night with friends in Marshfield.

Following a short hearing on May 7, Clark County Judge Lindsey Boon Brunette ruled enough evidence was presented to bind Contreras-Perez over for further proceedings. A request was then made for a judge substitution, and Judge Rian Radtke of Trempealeau County was assigned to the case.