Santa Cruz County realtor arraigned on rape charges
A Santa Cruz County realtor was arraigned Monday on rape charges.
Frank Debernardo, 46, is accused of raping a guest at his home in Aptos last November and then intimidating the woman to keep quiet about it. Court documents are calling the woman Jane Doe.
Debernardo's defense attorney is trying to get her client released from the Santa Cruz County Jail because she claims he's not a threat to the community or to Jane Doe. As of Monday afternoon, Debernardo is in jail on a no-bail hold.
The judge is scheduled to take up the bail motion Tuesday morning.
It's important to note that the defendant has the same name as Soquel High School girls softball coach Frank Debernardo. They are cousins, but softball coach Frank Debernardo is not involved in this case.