Austin man charged with sexually assaulting immigrant
He controlled every aspect of victim's life, police say.
By Tony Plohetski




Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Austin police have charged a man with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old immigrant from Guatemala while controlling the victim's movements for the past year.

An arrest affidavit said the victim told detectives that Agustin Solano Barcenas, 41, assaulted him on a regular basis and threatened to kill his family in Guatemala unless he complied during the assaults.

Barcenas also controlled all aspects of the victim's life during the past year, including his money and how frequently he left the apartment, said Detective Pam McBee, who investigates sex crimes.

Barcenas is charged with sexual assault, a second-degree felony for which he faces up to 20 years behind bars. His bail is set at $500,000.

Police said more charges are possible.

The affidavit said Barcenas denied in an interview ever assaulting the man and said he had no idea why the victim said he had.

McBee said Barcenas and the victim met last year when the victim was looking for a job.

Barcenas told the man that he could help get him work in a restaurant where he was employed, McBee said.

"He knows no one; he has no job; he needs this person who offers him work," she said. "The victim fell prey to the suspect's controlling behavior."

McBee declined to name the restaurant where Barcenas worked or describe in more detail how the victim and Barcenas began living together.

The arrest affidavit said that Barcenas physically assaulted the victim "if he did not do exactly as he was told."

It also said that Barcenas would not let the victim go anywhere without him or speak to his family on the phone without Barcenas' supervision.

Barcenas "preyed on the victim's status as an illegal immigrant from Guatemala and fear of deportation," the affidavit said.

According to the affidavit, police got a 911 call this month from an out-of-state relative of the victim who feared he had been kidnapped.

The relative directed police to Barcenas' apartment in Northeast Austin.

The affidavit said when officers arrived, Barcenas first told them he was the victim's uncle. He initially answered questions for the victim until police asked him not to.

"As the victim would answer, he would look to (Barcenas) for approval before finishing," the affidavit said.

Police said the victim is seeking help from counselors.

tplohetski@statesman.com

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