Illegal immigrant pleads guilty to rape of 12-year-old
Published 06/26/2008 By BECKY CAMPBELL



An illegal Mexican immigrant will be deported after he serves an 18-year sentence for raping a 12-year-old girl, according to a state prosecutor.

Martin Santos, 26, has been jailed since his arrest in July 2006, when the girl went to a clinic and a blood test revealed she was three months pregnant.

Santos pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and related charges Tuesday in Washington County Criminal Court for a total of 18 years in prison.

Part of the sentence — 15 years — must be served at 100 percent because it is for rape. The only reduction Santos might receive is 15 percent for good behavior from the Tennessee Department of Correction.

According to court records, when the girl learned she was pregnant, she told a police investigator she had consensual sex with Santos sometime before Christmas 2005 and again in the early summer of 2006.

Santos and the girl knew each other through relatives.

During his court hearing Tuesday, Santos was assisted by a Spanish interpreter because he does not speak English.

Through the interpreter, he told Judge Robert Cupp he understood all the proceedings, the charges against him and that he was pleading guilty because he had committed the offenses.

Cupp asked Santos if he was aware that it is likely he will be deported at some point. Santos said he did.

Assistant District Attorney General Erin McArdle said after the hearing that immigration officials are already aware of Santos’ charges and the plea hearing and have plans to deport him once he serves his sentence.



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