In the latest news in the ongoing Vhong Navarro case, model Deniece Cornejo turned herself into authorities on May 5 after briefly being labeled as a fugitive.
Cornejo, businessman Cedric Lee, and their group are accused of setting up Navarro by trying to make it appear that he raped Cornejo, then tried to extort money from him.
Cornejo filed a rape complaint but that was dismissed by the Department of Justice, which cited a lack of evidence.
Instead, she, Lee, and five others--including Lee’s sister--are charged with multiple crimes including illegal detention and grave threats. The former is a non-bailable offense.
Federal authorities have been looking to arrest all members of the group. They caught Lee and another of the group hiding out near a farm last week while Cornejo chose to turn herself in instead of being caught eventually in a manhunt.
Cornejo surrendered to authorities in Camp Crane shortly after 4 p.m. local time, reported the Manila Standard.
Family lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said that there was a prior arrangement for Cornejo’s surrender.
It’s unclear if Cornejo will be kept in custody throughout the trial or if she will be let out on bail.
Lee and several others have been kept in custody so far.
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