http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.../70224007/1002

Seaford man charged with rape of Florida girl

George Mast
The News Journal

SEAFORD — A 41-year-old Seaford man was charged last night for the alleged the rape of a seven-year-old Florida girl after evading authorities for nearly six months.

Manuel Perez Hernandez, 41, has been wanted by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in Florida since the September 2006 assault, U. S. Marshal David W. Thomas said.

Investigators believed Hernandez, who was using the alias Samuel Lopez, lived in Florida, Georgia, New Jersey and Delaware since being wanted, Thomas said.

After receiving word from authorities in Florida that Hernandez, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was in the Seaford, area marshals set up surveillance at several locations throughout the town on Friday, Thomas said.

While the case remains under investigation by federal authorities, Hernandez is being held at Howard Young Correctional Institute in Wilmington pending extradition to Florida.

gmast@delawareonline.com
302-324-2329