Suspected illegal immigrant held in alleged kidnapping, rape

Staff Report • Reno Gazette-Journal • February 11, 2010

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A suspected illegal immigrant is being held on charges that he and two other men battered and attempted to sexually assault a Reno woman.

Juan Hernandez, 20, is being held in lieu of $15,000 bail on charges of kidnapping, battery with the intent to commit sexual assault and attempt to commit sexual assault with a deadly weapon. He is also being held by US Immigration Customs Enforcement for illegally re-entering the country.

See mug shot photos of other recent arrests in Washoe County

On Jan. 13, two women went to a home in the 7900 block of North Virginia St with mutual friends, Reno police Sergeant Gerald Rhodes said. Three men, including Hernandez, grabbed one of the women and forced her into a bedroom, where they attempted to sexually assault her, Rhodes said.

During the assault, one of the suspects threatened the woman with a sharp object and then cut her with it, Rhodes said. Some of the women's friends intervened and helped her to escape the attack.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact the Reno Police Department Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit at 785-8605, or remain anonymous by contacting Secret Witness at 322-4900.

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