MINDEN, Nev. (AP) — A Carson City emergency room doctor has pleaded not guilty to drugging his ex-wife and kidnapping her from her home in Salt Lake City.
Dr. Richard Conte, 52, was arraigned last week in Douglas District Court on charges of second-degree kidnapping with a deadly weapon, unlawful administration of a controlled substance and possession of stolen property.
Authorities allege Conte kidnapped Lark Elliott from Utah, drugged her, tied her up in the back of his pickup truck and drove to Nevada, where he held her hostage at his Clear Creek home.
Elliott, 45, was freed when sheriff's deputies arrived after being contacted by family members.
Conte, arrested at his home June 20, remains jailed on $1 million cash-only bail.
District Judge David Gamble set a Feb. 3 trial date.
Conte also faces federal charges in the case. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in Reno on one count each of kidnapping and use of a firearm in a crime of violence.
Authorities in Conway, Ark., also are trying to determine whether Conte is linked to the May 19 killings of Elliott's previous husband, Carter Elliott, and an associate.