Illegal Immigrant Reports Sexual Assault in Starr County

Posted: Apr 1, 2014 8:09 PM
Updated: Apr 1, 2014 8:09 PM

Video Report at Link.


STARR COUNTY - Police are investigating the alleged sexual assault of an illegal immigrant near the banks of the Rio Grande.

Investigators said another illegal immigrant was arrested in connection with the attack. Rio Grande City police said the crime happened moments after a group of undocumented immigrants crossed the river Sunday.

Border Patrol agents arrested the group shortly after they crossed. It was then that the woman made the allegations against the suspect.

"Our investigators took over the case and discovered a female from Guatemala was sexually assaulted by the river banks," Rio Grande City Assistant Police Chief Noe Castillo said.

Police said the suspect was later identified as the group's smuggler.

"He was the one that was leading them into the United States and taking them to where they were supposed to go," Castillo said.

Castillo said it's possible the suspect may have attacked before.

"It's unknown what happens ... on their way here. The victim in this case had already been sexually assaulted in Mexico prior to being sexually assaulted here," Castillo said.

Castillo said the attack raises concerns about the type of immigrants crossing through the region.

"You're going to have pedophiles, murderers, people are going to do something wrong ... assault another victim ... or do something that can be catastrophic," Castillo said.

The suspect in the sexual assault faces state charges, Castillo said. The woman will be turned over to federal authorities where she is expected to get help.

http://www1.krgv.com/news/illegal-im...-county-677332