MIAMI – David Knezevich was back in Miami federal court Tuesday morning for a detention hearing as he faces a kidnapping charge in connection with the disappearance of his wife, Ana Knezevich, in Spain.
Knezevich, 36, has pleaded not guilty in the case. A judge heard evidence that prosecutors allege links the Fort Lauderdale businessman to the crime.
The couple had become estranged when Ana Knezevich moved to Madrid in late December and disappeared about five weeks later.
FBI agents arrested David Knezevich at Miami International Airport on May 4 after he returned from his native Serbia.
Federal authorities allege that David Knezevich was seen on surveillance video outside his wife’s apartment, wearing a motorcycle helmet, spray-painting a security camera just before she disappeared, and later leaving the building with a suitcase.
He’s also accused of later concocting a fake, Spanish-language text message purporting to be from Ana Knezevich claiming she had met another man in Spain.
Knezevich is suspected of stealing Serbian license plates after he rented a car in Belgrade and driving to Spain just before his wife’s disappearance.
An FBI agent was called to the stand Tuesday and said license plate readers picked up the stolen tag in Spain. Knezevich’s attorney, Jayne Weintraub, asked if there is direct evidence of linking him to the stolen Serbian plate.
The agent said there was circumstantial evidence and that cellphone data places Knezevich in Madrid.
Prosecutors also presented evidence of $3.4 million in mortgage notes David Knezevich allegedly didn’t report, along with evidence that he rented an apartment in Serbia and had $200,000 in a bank account.
A federal judge said Tuesday that with the latest evidence, a motion for a detention hearing needs to be set with the initial judge who denied Knezevich bond.
Ana Knezevich’s brother, Felipe Henao, and their family’s attorney, Courtney Caprio, watched the proceedings in court Tuesday.
Henao briefly spoke to local media outlets outside the courthouse.
“We trust the justice system, we trust that there’s gonna be justice for Ana, for my sister and if anybody has any information, please provide it to authorities,” Henao said.
Caprio said the Henao family is “pleased that David Knezevich remains in custody,” saying the family was “appreciative” of the judge’s “careful consideration of the papers and the government’s position.”
A tentative trial date was set for July 23, but the judge acknowledged that both parties may not be ready to proceed by then.