Rape suspect illegal alien, police say
Bail set at $100,000 in local attack

Elizabeth Dinan
By Elizabeth Dinan
edinan@seacoastonline
June 10, 2008 6:00 AM

PORTSMOUTH — A Mexican native who has been living in the country illegally went to a woman for a haircut on Saturday afternoon and then pushed her down, restrained her by force and raped her, said police.

Arraigned in Portsmouth District Court on Monday, Alfonso Mendoza, 52, of the Stonecroft Apartments, was charged with aggravated felonious sexual assault forcible rape and ordered held on $100,000 cash-only bail.

Prosecutor Corey MacDonald told the court Mendoza had propositioned the victim, a barber, in the past, but she repeatedly refused his advances.

After Mendoza raped her, said MacDonald, he went to his job at a Newington restaurant, phoned the alleged victim and told her "not to tell anyone."

"He told her the police won't believe her because she does not speak English and he does," said MacDonald.

"I am innocent," said Mendoza by video from the Rockingham County House of Corrections.

Judge Sawako Gardner set the $100,000 cash-only bail and ordered Mendoza to have no contact with the victim, to stay away from the Stonecroft Apartments and to return to the court for a June 17 probable cause hearing.

MacDonald said he will be notifying immigration authorities in the meantime.

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