The man accused of killing 20-year-old Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts pleaded not guilty in the case.
Rivera, 24, was arrested last month and charged with first-degree murder after Tibbetts went missing in July while going on a jog. Her body was discovered in a cornfield about 10 miles from Brooklyn, Iowa.
The search and Rivera’s arrest drew national attention, as investigators believe that he arrived in the United States illegally from Mexico several years ago. An immigration detainer from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency was placed on him.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services told Fox News in August that “a search of records by USCIS revealed Rivera did not make any DACA requests nor were any grants given.”
It added: “We have found no record in our systems indicating he has any lawful immigration status.”
A criminal complaint said that Rivera admitted observing Tibbetts during an evening run. Surveillance camera footage captured Rivera’s black Chevy Malibu driving near where the woman vanished, officials said. When he was taken in by police, he said he got out and ran alongside her.
Rivera was arrested after admitting to investigators he spotted Tibbetts jogging on July 18, and started jogging behind her then alongside her after pulling over and exiting a vehicle he was driving, according to previous reports.
Next thing he knew, he was back in his car and Tibbett’s body was in his trunk. He dumped her body in a remote cornfield, according to reports.
“Our hearts are broken,” said her family in August. “On behalf of Mollie’s entire family, we thank all of those from around the world who have sent their thoughts and prayers for our girl.”
