VALPARAISO | A Portage resident awaiting sentencing for leaving the scene of an April 2 accident that resulted in the death of a man driving a mo-ped has been accused a second time of violating the terms of his pretrial supervision.
Porter County Adult Probation Officer James Taylor said he visited the home of Reinaldo Figueroa III, 20, at 8:20 p.m. Dec. 10 and Reinaldo was not present and his parents had no idea of his whereabouts, despite a 6 p.m. curfew, according to the violation notice.
Taylor said he and two other officers waited nearly a half-hour as Figueroa's parents searched for him. Figueroa's father reportedly told the officers he could not find his son in the house, garage or outside.
Taylor said Figueroa called at 9 p.m. and left a voice message saying, "Sorry I missed you, my Mom and Dad said you guys were here looking for me," according to the violation notice. "I was home the whole time in my backyard behind the garage talking to my girlfriend on the phone."
A hearing on the alleged violation is scheduled for Friday before Porter Circuit Court Judge Mary Harper, and Taylor is requesting Figueroa be placed on electronic monitoring until he is sentenced Feb. 20.
Figueroa was accused in May of violating the terms of pretrial supervision just a few days after Harper lowered his bond so he could leave jail. The accusation stemmed from Figueroa leaving Porter County to attend a church service in Tinley Park.
Harper modified the conditions of the bond to allow Figueroa to continue attending the church services as long he complies with certain rules.
Taylor now is accusing Figueroa of failing to advise him of the times he travels to church, despite repeated reminders.
Figueroa pleaded guilty last month to the underlying driving offense and faces two to eight years behind bars if the proposed plea is accepted by Harper. He also faces a license suspension of two to five years.
Figueroa is charged with striking and killing Frank Ivey, 22, of Valparaiso, as Ivy rode his mo-ped on County Road 700 North near County Road 500 West in Portage Township.
Authorities accused Figueroa of leaving Ivey in the road, where another driver ran over him and then called emergency officials.
At the time of the accident, Figueroa was on a court deferral on a criminal charge of minor in possession of alcohol and on probation for minor consuming alcohol.
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