By Signe K. Skinion

The State’s Attorney office filed more state charges against alleged kidnapper John D. Moro that led to a continuance of his preliminary hearing on Tuesday morning.

The continuance was granted by presiding Jackson County Judge Thomas Jones who found that the defense did not have adequate time to prepare for the new charges filed against Moro, and moved the preliminary hearing to Oct. 31 at 11 a.m.

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Moro, 35, who appeared in court today, is now charged with two counts of armed violence, and one count of unlawful use of a weapon, in addition to a previous charge of aggravated kidnapping. Moro allegedly kidnapped his daughter, Demetria, from the Giant City School at gunpoint on August 29, and led law enforcement officers on a nationwide manhunt for two weeks. He also faces federal charges for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Defense attorney Patricia Gross asked for a continuance because the police reports that caused the new charges to be filed against Moro were not available until minutes before the preliminary hearing.

Prosecuting State’s Attorney Mike Wepsiec said Moro faces harsh penalties if he is convicted on the new charges regardless of when the preliminary hearing occurs.

Wepsiec said the two counts of armed violence carry potential consequences of a minimum 15-year prison sentence or a maximum prison sentence of 30 years.

The unlawful use of firearms is a class 3 felony and does not have to have a prison sentence. But because the offense occurred on school property, the sentence can be 2 to 5 years.

Wepseic said the lack of manpower in Jackson County is unfortunate, and he is sorry the defense could not have the police reports at the time of the preliminary hearing Tuesday morning.

I would love to have provided Ms. Gross the reports she requested, Wepsiec said. Unfortunately, the manpower we have could not provide the reports.

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After the second preliminary hearing in two weeks, the arraignment will be set, and Moro will formally enter his plea to the charges he now faces.

Moro is still in jail and will remain there at least until his Oct. 31 hearing, a Jackson County jail official said.

Gross was unavailable for comment on Tuesday.