The Antelope Valley Times

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Convicted killer pleads not guilty to kidnapping, sexually assaulting woman

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Leonard Bales at a court appearance in October. [JOHN MEZA]
Leonard Bales at a court appearance in October. [JOHN MEZA]
LANCASTER  – A paroled killer pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he kidnapped a woman, took her to a vacant home in Quartz Hill and sexually assaulted her in September.

Leonard Earl Bales, 46, of Palmdale, is charged with one count each of kidnapping to commit forcible oral copulation, forcible oral copulation, attempted murder, criminal threats, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment by violence and assault with intent to commit rape, sodomy or oral copulation.

Prosecutors allege Bales has a 1998 conviction for killing a woman in Lancaster.

The criminal complaint also alleges that he has convictions from 1994 for assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury and first-degree burglary.

The latest case alleges that Bales took a woman to a vacant house in Quartz Hill on Sept. 26 and that he sexually assaulted, choked and dragged her, according to Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami.

Police were called after the woman fled without any clothes on to a neighboring home, the prosecutor said.

Bales was arrested that day by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies and has remained in jail since then on just over $3.8 million bail.

He is due back in a Lancaster courtroom Jan. 13, 2016, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.

If convicted of the charges, Bales could face up to life in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Previous related story: Convicted killer charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, rape

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

27 comments for "Convicted killer pleads not guilty to kidnapping, sexually assaulting woman"

  1. Wow… Leonard Bales. Dude, I am so disappointed in you for blowing a second chance at life in the real world. Here you said you had found God and were excited about a fresh start. Looks like all of that was[removed]. I may show up in court to look at a former friend who lied to me about many things. The truth is out now. Likely you’ll pay the price this time and will never have the opportunity to hurt a woman again. You’re a scumbag. Hope you get what’s coming to you this time around. To think, I thought I knew you from childhood as friends. Good luck. Prayers to the victim of this evil criminal.

  3. Our city officials let this dumping of criminals go on. Keep electing same politicians get same ugly results. Lancaster has been taken advantage of. Don’t reelect the same dirtbags.

  4. wow great laws we have that protect the scum of the earth. you are aloud to kill someone and receive 17 years or less depending when this lame was released. the state or county that believed this lame deserved a second chance should have to pay for the victims recovery back to society. well hes back in the system see you back in the streets 17 years or less….more likely less since this time wasn’t a killing…..what a joke!

  5. This man attacked me and left me because he thought I was dead. He also attacked my friend a elderly women named Marie who died from fear weeks later. Women in my neighborhood caught him peeking into there windows at night. This Creep is A STALKER and very dangerous……KILL THE BASTARD……Lancaster is the arm pit of the world….Sorry I’m prejudice, that place was a Horror for me.

      • I don’t know if Lancaster is the armpit capital, but it sure is the Stupid Capital of the World. Even before our whack job Mayor started his bird sounds, eye in the sky, 64 homeless a day and what not BS, we had the Flat Earth Society. Lancaster is fertile soil for lunacy.

    • I don’t get it. The man is from Palmdale and took the woman to a vacant house in Quartz Hill. Then you say that Lancaster is the armpit of the world.

      • Marcy,

        I’m so sorry that you were attacked by this scumbag. I’m happy that you’ve moved on. I will be joining you in your quest to live anywhere but the Antelope Valley. The only thing that might change my mind is if all of us good people take a stand against criminals in our midst. I will happily lead the fight.

      • John,

        The kidnapping occurred in Lancaster, hence the news release from City News Service. Would it make a difference if the man was from Lancaster and took the victim to a vacant Lancaster house? Are you an elbow-licking ear-biter or do you just like to defend armpits?

        • The article does not give a location of the kidnapping. It says Lancaster because that is where the Superior Court building is located.

        • By Your logic, someone could be from Tulsa OK, fly here on vacation visiting a family member commit a crime and you would still blame the AV. Give it a rest hate the town that much help change it, make it better or go away.

      • Lancaster is an armpit. Do you live here? It sucks. Our mayor is nuts. It is unsafe in east Lanaster. I want to move.

  6. WOW Tim Scott where are you to defend this trash What in the heck is this guy doing out on the streets he is a killer like I always say these twisted mind people will never change they should have put him down the first time we need tougher laws you kill you will be killed… Unbelievable or if it can be done before he hurts someone also would be fine.

  7. If this guys a convicted killer why is he on the streets? The woman is lucky she got away she is the one that needs proper counseling and therapy. He should not have another chance of doing it again give him life.

  8. I am proud to say that I am an Obama Liberal. I truly believe that with the proper counseling and therapy this individual can be a useful citizen in our society.

    • Mary,

      I get your sarcasm. But why is it our President’s fault that a scumbag like this was free to perpetrate more crimes against our local community? Start with the State of California, whittle it down to Antonovich and Rex. Then you can unearth the truth. To blame one man who governs an entire nation is ridiculous.

  9. Many thanks to the California Liberal Court system that feels more sorry for the scum of this earth than they do for the victim.

  11. Drown ’em like puppies. Recidivism is a major problem, and they keep dumping sex offenders here. Notice that it happened in Lancaster.