Updated Aug. 20, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
CULLMAN, Ala. – Two men who were charged with second-degree attempted kidnapping earlier this month saw the case dismissed on Monday, Aug. 19, at a preliminary hearing in the courtroom of Cullman County District Judge Rusty Turner.
Court documents obtained by The Tribune state: “The Court held a Preliminary Hearing today where the State was represented by the Hon. Nate Brock and the Defendant by the Hon. Michael Thornton. After hearing the testimony of Deputy Austin White the Court finds the State has failed to establish probable cause on the charge of Attempted Kidnapping 2nd degree. This case is dismissed and costs are remitted.”
It was back on Sunday, Aug. 4, just before 4 p.m. when the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of two suspicious individuals at Sportsman Lake Park.
According to the report, the two individuals were watching and following children around inside the park. The CCSO said the individuals allegedly attempted to use ice cream cones in an attempt to lure children away.
Deputies located the suspects and identified them as Robert Lee Hollis, 46, of Cullman, and Andrei Anatolyahch Gouchtchine, 37, of Cullman.
Deputies and investigators spoke with the Cullman County District Attorney’s Office and both suspects were arrested and charged with second-degree attempted kidnapping.
Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker said Monday, Aug. 19, that he stood by the arrests.
“I stand by the arresting officer’s actions in these cases,” he said. “We believed there was enough evidence for a jury to ultimately decide these cases, but the court disagreed.”
ORIGINAL STORY BELOW
CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of two suspicious individuals at Sportsman Lake Park on Sunday, Aug. 4, just before 4 p.m.
According to the report, the two individuals were watching and following children around inside the park.
The CCSO said the individuals allegedly attempted to use ice cream cones in an attempt to lure children away.
CCSO deputies located the suspects and identified them as Robert Lee Hollis, 46, of Cullman, and Andrei Anatolyahch Gouchtchine, 37, of Cullman.
Deputies and investigators spoke with the Cullman County District Attorney’s Office and both suspects were arrested.
Both Hollis and Gouchtchine were charged with second-degree attempted kidnapping.
They are currently being held at the Cullman County Detention Center with no bond.
According to court records, Gouchtchine has a criminal history of arrests including burglary, theft of property and possession of controlled substances
Hollis has a history of arrests including possession of controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances near West Elementary School and forgery.
This is an active and ongoing investigation.
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