Dickson Man Accused Of Raping Employees
Possible Victims Afraid To Talk To Police
Reported By Jonathan Martin

POSTED: 4:11 pm CDT August 14, 2008
UPDATED: 5:23 pm CDT August 14, 2008



DICKSON, Tenn. -- A Dickson man has been arrested after he was accused of raping his female employee, and police said there may be several other victims.

Gavino Hernandez is in jail and charged with rape, but Dickson police said they may never know how many women he has assaulted.

Police said Hernandez may be in the country illegally, but for several years has managed a group of Hispanic women who cleaned apartment and office buildings in Dickson.

One of the women recently came forward saying Hernandez raped her late one night in a building on Highway 70.

"She stated she had been reluctant to come forward," said Detective Donny Arnold.

After investigating the claim, officers said they strongly suspected Hernandez raped at least two other women working for him.

Police believe the victims live on Spring Street, a large Hispanic community in Dickson, but said it has been difficult getting the alleged victims to talk.

"(They are) afraid if they come forward as a victim, they may be removed from the country," said Arnold.

Police said that's why Hernandez may be targeting these women, since they may never report the crime.

Channel 4 asked Hernandez's wife if she believed the claims. She answered through a friend she didn't know about the allegations, but she had been catching him in many lies.

Police said Hispanic rape victims who come forward should not fear being deported because their main goal is building a case against a suspect and bringing him to justice.

Hernandez is being held without bond. Police are checking his immigration status.
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