Illegal Mexican immigrant charged with prolonged sexual assault of child in Clare County

Published: Wednesday, August 22, 2012,

By Cole Waterman/



Victorino Bahena Garcia

HARRISON, MI — A 32-year-old illegal Mexican immigrant is facing several felonies after police say he spent several years sexually abusing a young girl.

Clare County Sheriff's deputies on Aug. 16 arrested Victorino Bahena Garcia. The next day, he was arraigned in Clare County District Court on three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

The first-degree charge is punishable by up to life imprisonment.

Clare County Prosecutor Michelle Ambrozaitis said Garcia abused a girl in Grant Township from June 2010 through August of this year. The girl is now 8 years old.

Investigators determined Garcia illegally emigrated from Mexico several years ago. Deputies contacted the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which will seek action once the Clare County case is resolved.

Ambrozaitis could not disclose any additional information.

Garcia remains in the Clare County Jail on a $500,000 bond.