A 31-year-old deportee claiming Mexican residency who allegedly kidnapped and robbed a 20-year-old woman at gunpoint in late May was held over on a charge of kidnapping for the purpose of robbery Friday.

Juan Jose Estrada-Chavez allegedly forced Humboldt County resident Erin Waldenburg into her car that was parked near Sequoia Park on May 28. At his preliminary hearing, Waldenburg testified that the man then went through her purse, taking money and her cell phone. He then allegedly forced her to drive him to various locations in Manila, Trinidad and Blue Lake before taking her car keys.

“She was terrified and thought he was going to kill her,” Deputy District Attorney Arnold Klein said.

Waldenburg, who had a spare key in her purse, fled the wooded area the car was stopped in and reported the crime to law enforcement shortly afterward. The alleged incident lasted about 1 1/2 hours, Klein said.

While Waldenburg was taken to the Blue Lake area by an EPD detective later that day to confirm the area the suspect was last seen, she spotted him leaving the Blue Lake Casino, an EPD news release about the incident stated.

No one other than the alleged victim testified at the hearing. The kidnap for the purpose of robbery charge carries a life sentence term, Klein said, and more charges, including false imprisonment, robbery with the use of a handgun and assault with a deadly weapon may be added to the complaint next week.

Humboldt County Public Defender Andy Truitt argued the charge should be dismissed. He couldn’t be reached for comment.

Estrada-Chavez is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges July 22 at 2 p.m.