Ventura man jailed on rape charges accused of trying to have victim killed

VENTURA, Calif. - A Ventura man in custody on allegations of rape is now accused of trying to hire someone to have the rape victim killed.

Omar Lara, 34, of Ventura has been in custody since February on charges of forcible rape, forcible digital penetration, dissuading a witness and residential burglary. 

On Wednesday, the Ventura County District Attorney's Office announced additional charges were filed against Lara after learning that he may have attempted to hire someone to kill the victim in his pending case.

Lara was charged with solicitation to commit murder and conspiracy to commit murder, both of which are felonies. He faces a maximum sentence of 81 years to life in prison.