Fresh sex-crime charges hit Mario Fernandez as Bridegan murder case continues

Two new felony counts of lewd and lascivious molestation have been filed against Mario Fernandez, who remains in custody after being convicted of murder-for-hire in the Jared Bridegan case. A decade-spanning abuse allegation involves a victim who began when she was about 8 in 2020; a second, redacted-age victim described a 2022 incident at Fernandez's home. Prosecutors say new evidence prompted the charges, with Fernandez set for arraignment Sept. 17. Bridegan's ex-wife Shanna Gardner's murder trial is delayed to May 2027 as related proceedings unfold.