ROCKFORD, Mich. — The Marine Corps recruiter accused of breaking into a Rockford area home on June 15 and stabbing an 11-year-old girl waived his right to a prelim, sending the case to trial.
24-year-old Ricardo Perez Castillo has been charged with home invasion and sexual assault.
According to court documents filed in the case, Castillo broke into a different Rockford home earlier on Saturday, June 15.
Authorities said a homeowner in the 100 block of Oak Street found a man in his kitchen and told him to get out of his house.
Just before leaving, the man told the homeowner "that he should always be armed."
Then, Castillo moved on to southeast of Rockford where he reportedly planned to kill the entire family inside a home in the 8000 block of Ella Terrace Court.
Just after 3 a.m., the homeowner called police and said someone was in his daughter's bedroom and the daughter's friend had been cut, a probable cause affidavit details.
The man said he had the suspect held at gunpoint until police showed up.
When detectives arrived, they found Castillo with a bloody knife next to him.
Security video from the home showed Castillo walking into the home and then taking his shoes, socks, and pants off, court docs said.
Wearing nothing but a T-shirt and underwear, detectives said he grabbed a knife from the kitchen drawer and walked upstairs.
He allegedly told investigators his plan was to "break into the house and kill the entire family."
First, he tried a few bedroom doors, but they were locked. Then he opened the master bedroom door to find the homeowners asleep. He told detectives he shut the door to look for an "easier target."
Castillo then went into a bedroom where the girls were sleeping.
"Ricard stated to detectives that he planned to kill REDACTED and then have sex with her dead body," court documents said.
Castillo then took off his underwear and began stabbing the 11-year-old girl while on top of her.
The girls woke up and started screaming, which caused him to stop.
Authorities said the girl had multiple stab wounds to her arm that required surgery.
The Kent County Sheriff's Office believes at this point this attack was random.
"At this point, it appears to be initially random," said KCSO Undersheriff Bryan Muir. "And again, that lengthy part of the investigation will go back more into the details behind how this happened and why it happened at this residence. But at this point, we don't have any connection to lead the subject that was responsible for the assault to this residence."
Following the incident, Muir urged people in the region to take all precautions to protect themselves and their homes.
"Even though you live in a safe community here in West Michigan, you know, get to a nightly routine," Muir said. "Lock your doors, lock your cars, just double check windows, make sure that your home is as safe as possible. This was a completely random act from what we believe right now, and these things don't happen very often, but they can. So, we just ask for you to do everything you can on your part to keep yourself safe."
Castillo was arraigned Monday on the following charges:
- One count of assault with intent to murder, a felony with a maximum possible penalty of life
- One count of home invasion 1st degree a felony with a maximum possible penalty of 20 years and/or $5,000
- One count of assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct involving penetration a felony with a maximum possible penalty of 10 years
- One count of carrying a weapon with unlawful intent, a felony punishable by a maximum penalty of 5 years or $2,500.
He appeared before Judge Sara Smolenski, who is retiring in July.
"This is as big as it gets. This case, it's as scary as it gets. It's as horrific as it gets, and it puts all of us in a fear zone like no other. I don't understand any of what the allegations are, other than what I've read to you, and you're going to have to talk with your attorney step by step, because these are big cases," Judge Smolenski said.
The judge set his bond at $2 million and ordered him to not have any contact with the victims.
"That is how serious this court takes all of these charges, and we want to make sure you're monitored if there's any chance you're released from jail," the judge said.
Castillo is due back in court on June 26.
According to Kent County Prosecutor Christopher Becker's office, Castillo also faces one count of illegal entry for breaking into the other home earlier that evening. That misdemeanor charge would be punishable by 90 days and/or $500 if Castillo were convicted.
"Boy, this is a helpless victim. A kid should be innocent. A kid shouldn't have to worry about stuff like this. But it does occur, and I can't say it never happened before, and it's clearly happened here now, and it probably won't be the last one either," Kent County Prosecutor Becker said.
"I think it's just mindful for people to pay attention. Make sure you're locking your doors, locking the windows, doing whatever they can, turn the lights on outside."
13 ON YOUR SIDE reached out to the United States Marine Corps recruiting station in Lansing for a statement on the incident. They said Castillo served as an infantryman as well as a canvassing recruiter. While serving he also received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Award and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal. The rest of their statement is below:
We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred. The Marine Corps is fully cooperating with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office in this matter. The incident is currently under investigation by authorities, and it would be premature to speculate on the details of the investigation at this time. Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
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