(IntegrityPress.org) – An illegal immigrant who entered the U.S. in January has been charged with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a child under the age of 11 after being released into the country while awaiting his immigration status hearing. Marvin Perez Lopez, a 20-year-old Guatemalan, was freed from custody by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after being given a court date with an immigration judge in 2027.
Marvin had since moved to an apartment in Palm Beach, Florida, where he is accused of targeting a sixth-grade girl who lives in a neighboring apartment. He is accused of telling the girl to get inside his van, where he began to touch her. According to police reports, she pushed him away and tried to escape but he dragged her back into his van and violated her. He is alleged to have stopped the attack only when the victim’s mother realized where the girl was and banged on Marvin’s van, demanding he release her. Marvin is said to have jumped out of the van and begged the mother’s forgiveness.
The girl’s mother did not call the police, reportedly being afraid to involve the authorities due to having had her daughter removed from her care previously and also being concerned about her own immigration status. Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters that police were notified of the alleged crime after staff at a local immigrant and refugee non-profit reported it. Bradshaw said that he was glad that staff at the Guatemalan Maya Center made the call and added that immigrants should not be afraid of reporting crimes to authorities.
Marvin tried to flee from police but was apprehended on Saturday, May 4, and charged with resisting arrest as well as the kidnapping and assault. He is currently being held in jail without the possibility of bond. Police say that he has confessed to the charges and is looking at serving prison time in the U.S. before possibly being deported.
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