STROUDSBURG – The man who allegedly kidnapped a 14-year-old girl, raped her at a local motel, then held police at bay with gunfire, will go directly to county court.  Through his attorney, Derek Bengtsson,  27, waived a preliminary hearing during which the prosecution would show enough evidence to convince a district magistrate a crime had occurred and that the defendant can reasonably be considered a suspect.

Bengtsson’s next top would be Monroe County Court, where he would enter a plea.  If he pleads ‘not guilty’ he would go to trial on charges that currently include kidnapping, rape and attempted murder.

The charges stem from allegations that earlier this month, that Bengtsson kidnapped the girl from her  Middle Smithfield Township home, took her to the  motel in downtown Stroudsburg and sexually assaulted her. 

The girl escaped when Bengtsson fell asleep, and called police.  He allegedly fired shots at police when they arrived, but after an hour of negotiations, surrendered without further incident.

He remains held without bail in the Monroe County Jail.