A preliminary hearing is scheduled next month for a man charged with two felonies, including kidnapping for extortion and robbery with a weapon.
Formal charges of kidnapping for extortion and robbery with a weapon were filed in Lincoln County District Court on Nov. 18 against Xiaodong Zhang, 43, of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Associate District Judge Sheila Kirk set bond at $50,000 and ordered Zhang to make his initial appearance at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 2.
On that date, a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Zhang for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7.
He was arrested by Lincoln County deputies last month.
In the first felony, Zhang is accused on Nov. 12 of forcibly seizing Zhen Wang from a grow facility at 339007 E. 890 Road, in Chandler and confining him in the grow facility at that address for the purpose of extorting approximately $17,000 from Zhen Wang.
The second count charges Zhang of robbing Zhen Wang on the same date and taking approximately $18,000 that belonged to and was in the possession of Wang without his consent and against his will.
The charge further states Zhang used a firearm to threaten Zhen Wang with harm if he resisted Zhang of robbing him of the $18,000.
A probable cause affidavit states that the victim, Zhen Wang and the defendant Zang, are both shareholders in the grow operation. Deputy James Robinson was the first one to respond to the call.
The affidavit shows that Zhang was arrested by Lincoln County deputies in the parking lot of the Iowa Casino at 338445 E. Highway 66 in Lincoln County. Deputies stopped Zhang as he was attempting to leave the parking lot, the affidavit states.
As Deputy Larry Stover, Jr., searched Zhang, he found in a pocket more than $6,000 in cash. During inventory of his vehicle prior to it being impounded, found in a pink zipper bag was $15,000 cash.
The money was collected as evidence, Lincoln County Investigator Tanner Hand stated in the affidavit.
Deputy Kevin Chapman transported Zhang to the Lincoln County Jail in Chandler.
Hand reported the money collected was counted in the interview room by himself, Deputies Stover and Chapman on camera. The money totaled $21,025.44, Hand stated.
Hand said that Evidence Property Clerk Tina Stover was requested to take possession of the money at the Sheriff’s Office and Hand and Deputy Stover witnessed her place the money in the evidence room for safe keeping.