Illegal immigrant accused of sex assault

Thursday, June 18, 2009 | 6:42 PM
By Phil Lipof

LAKEWOOD (WABC) -- Police in New Jersey say a teenager sexually assault nine girls, the oldest just 7 years old. And they fear there could be more victims out there.

The teenager lives in Lakewood.

A quiet apartment complex filled with families and young children was a hunting ground, police say, for the sexual predator. And they say his prey was little girls between the ages of 4 and 7.

The Ocean County prosecutor says it all started with one complaint Saturday. But by Tuesday, there were nine alleged victims. And 18-year-old Cirilo Chalula, an illegal Mexican immigrant, was behind bars and charged with sexual assault.

People who live in the complex say they would often see Chalula playing with children in the parking lot, always with young girls.

No one answered at Chalula's apartment, but people who live in the complex had plenty to say about the accusations. One father, who took his 5-year-old daughter to the school bus, says that if Chalula is guilty, jail is too good for him.

"The electric chair," he said. "He should get the electric chair."

That kind of anger is understandable, as there are children everywhere in the complex.

Eyewitness News has learned that Chalula has only been there for a few months. He was living in New York City before that, and Mexico before that. He has reportedly been in this country illegally for two years now.

The prosecutor is concerned there may be more victims out there.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?secti ... id=6872281