Illegal immigrant accused of raping girl in Washington County
July 26, 2017 06:46 PM
A farm worker is accused of raping a 14-year-old girl and NewsChannel 13 has learned that he was in the United States illegally.
Ricardo Baraja-Suarez was arraigned in Fort Edward around 4 p.m. Wednesday. The alleged crime took place in Salem – about a half-hour away. Then, Suarez was taken to the county jail on $100,000 bail.
The 33-year-old Suarez was in handcuffs and escorted by a state trooper on his way out of a courtroom in Fort Edward. He didn't have anything to say after NewsChannel 13 asked him several questions.
The man, who lived in Salem over the past year, an immigrant worker at a farm in Washington County, faced a judge on three charges -- including criminal sexual act in the first degree.
According to court papers, Suarez attacked a 14-year-old girl in Salem, holding her down, took off her undergarments and sexually assaulted her. Police say the young girl escaped and called 911.
Inside the courtroom, it appeared that Suarez couldn't understand English. The judge asked him several times if he understood. His public defender would often translate what was said in Spanish, his native language. However, investigators say they interviewed him for hours and he speaks English fairly well.
It was also revealed in court that Suarez was in this country illegally and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are also part of the case.
Prosecutors say fearing that he was a flight risk and might never return to this country to face the charges, they asked for the highest possible bail.
http://wnyt.com/news/immigrant-worke...ounty/4553821/
