The man charged with the rape and murder of 13-year-old Hania Aguilar in Lumberton, North Carolina, was linked to another rape case in 2016 through DNA evidence.
34-years-old Michael Ray McLellan got arrested Saturday on charges including first-degree murder and rape. McLellan is accused of murdering Hania Aguilar, who was kidnapped in front of her home in Lumberton, North Carolina on Nov. 5.
in the course of investigating the Aguilar case, police were able to connect McClellan with a 2016 rape case. He faces additional charges of first-degree rape and first-degree burglary in that case.
13-year-old Hania Aguilar was heading to school when McLellan allegedly forced her into her relative’s idling SUV parked in the driveway and sped off. the remains of her body were discovered located in the water in Robeson County after days of hunting.
McLellan who has a long criminal history was released from prison in June and was still under post-release supervision, prison officials say. State records show he was convicted on felony breaking and entering and larceny of a motor vehicle charges in February and sentenced to serve 9 to 20 months in prison.
He was convicted in 2007 on assault with a deadly weapon charge and first-degree burglary. Records show McClellan was sentenced to prison for at least 10 years, up to 12 years and 9 months.
McClellan will be held without bail on the charges of rape and murder in the Aguilar case. A judge set a $5 million bond on the 2016 rape and burglary charges.
