Former restaurant owner Raffaele Santaniello faces trial on kidnapping and sexual assault charges

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. - The co-owner of a now closed restaurant in Berrien County now faces trial for kidnapping and sexual assault charges after a preliminary trial in April 2022. 

The former co-owner of Santaniello's Glenlord Restaurant and Pizzeria, Raffaele Santaniello, tried to have the case thrown out, appealing to the Michigan Supreme Court, but his request was denied, according to court documents. 

The trial will begin in February. 

Santaniello faces eight counts of criminal sexual conduct-using force and coercion- and one count of kidnapping for allegedly pressuring female staffers for sex in order to keep their jobs.

In the preliminary hearing, one of the three victims spoke out. 

If convicted, Santaniello faces up to life in prison.