Rape Suspect Is Illegal Immigrant

Written by Peggy Fox
9NEWS NOW
Last Updated: 11/13/2007 7:13:56 PM
FAIRFAX Co., Va. (WUSA) -- On Saturday, November 3, Fairfax County Police say 27 year old Marlon Berrioz, of no fixed address, broke into a home on Moon Rock Court in Alexandria, and raped the 59 year old single woman who lives there. He was armed with a knife.

She eventually escaped, and fled to a neighbor's house.

Police caught Berrioz on Tuesday, November 6, and charged him with rape, animate object sexual penetration, abduction with intent to defile, and burglary.

He had recently worked as a painter in the woman's home and police say came back in the middle of the night sneaking in through a rear, unlocked window.

Now, the Fairfax Sheriff's Department confirms to 9NEWS NOW, Marlon Berrioz is an illegal immigrant.

Recently, Sheriff Stan Barry said his department would begin working with the federal Immigration, Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) to determine the legal status of jail inmates and report undocumented, illegal immigrants to the feds. A Sheriff's spokesperson says the department will send Berrioz's illegal status to ICE.

The Fairfax County Police Department is withholding the name of the company that employed Berrioz because, they say, the owner was 'instrumental' in helping police find and arrest Berrioz. But several neighbors say they think the company should be held accountable for hiring an illegal immigrant.

A Fairfax County Police spokesman says they cannot charge the company for hiring an illegal immigrant because that is a federal violation.

Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Raymond Morrogh says they have no intention of deporting Berrioz now, because he could come back. Morrogh says he will be tried and punished if convicted. The charges he faces, Morrogh says, could amount to several life terms. Morrogh says Berrioz would be turned over to ICE only after he is acquitted or after has served his punishment.

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