Published: 2/03 3:43 pm
Updated: 2/03 7:29 pm

The conviction this week of an illegal immigrant for the rape of a young Hamilton girl was another step towards closure in the case. Alfredo Lopez Cruz was found guilty in the 2005 attack. As Local 12 News Reporter Larry Davis tells us, while the deputy responsible for tracking down Butler County's most wanted all the way to Mexico is gratified by the verdict.

When the jury returned a guilty verdict earlier this week, it brought satisfaction to a lot of people, the victim, prosecutors and the deputy who spent six long years tracking down Lopez Cruz." It took a Butler County jury only three hours to return a guilty verdict against him. Sheriff's Deputy Paul Newton spent six long years tracking Lopez Cruz. Once Cutler County's number one fugitive was finally arrested in Mexico, it was Deputy Newton who personally brought Lopez Cruz into a Butler County court room for his arraignment.

The rape of the nine year old girl--who had been out riding her bicycle-- triggered racial tensions in Hamilton's fourth ward. The house where the rape occurred was set on fire. Newton hopes the verdict will allow the victim and the city to heal. "That almost tore the city apart back when this happened. Maybe we can all move forward now."

During the time he spent searching for Lopez Cruz, Deputy Newton says frustration would set in--but an image would keep popping into head. It was "the picture of the little girl. That takes all that away the frustration leaves."

"I have one of the best people in the United States if not the world who can track somebody down no matter where they are " Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones has 15 people on his most wanted list.

Even though, a former number one has been brought to justice, Deputy Newton keeps looking. "You know me. If there's somebody out there that needs to be looking for, I'm going to be looking for them. There's always somebody."

Lopez Cruz will return to court for sentencing on March 15th. He could get life in prison without parole for at least ten years.

Deputy Hopes Conviction in Child Rape Case Leads To Healing - :: Cincinnati news story :: LOCAL 12 WKRC-TV in Cincinnati