ST. LOUIS — Talk to 28-year-old Grace Kipendo and he'll tell you he's a caring husband from Arnold.
He and his wife are expecting their first child.
Ten years ago, the Second Lieutenant in the Army emigrated from the Republic of Congo to the United States with big dreams.
"It was to get the education that I needed which is what I'm working on right now. Really get the education and be a productive citizen," Kipendo said.
In late-February, police arrested Kipendo, his cousin, Mmunga Fungamali, and Pasi Heri.
A woman in her early 20s said the trio kidnapped, beat and held her against her will at Mount of Olives Ministry in south St. Louis.
According to a probable cause statement, officers found the woman in a room, bound with rope and bleeding from her head.
Prosecutors charged the suspects with kidnapping and assault.
Grace Kipendo admits to being a member of the church for the past nine years.
"Yes, I like it. I feel like I'm whole whenever I do go to that church," Kipendo added.
However, as for the serious allegations?
"I'm not the guy that the media has painted me to be regarding these crimes. I'm not that individual," said Kipendo.
Kipendo and the two others are now out of jail, on house arrest and temporarily wearing GPS monitoring devices.
"Having this device on my leg sometimes makes me feel like I'm a criminal even though I know I'm not a criminal," added Kipendo.
"I do maintain that they do have the wrong guy," said Chris Combs, Kipendo's attorney.
"I think this case is either going to fall apart after the victim's deposition or I think we'll come out victorious with a jury trial," said Combs.
On June 7, Kipendo and his lawyer will be back in Circuit Court for another hearing. Kipendo is confident he will ultimately clear his name.
"Well, I'm hoping to get to not guilty and also get back to my norms so I can continue having a normal life," said Kipendo.
At one point, the city condemned the Mount of Olives Ministry after the three men were arrested.
The church has since reopened.