An illegal alien from Mexico has been charged with raping an underage victim in Alabama, according to reports.
On August 9, the Daleville Department of Public Safety was alerted by a local pastor about potential sex crimes being committed against a teenage girl who attended his church.
Officers tracked down 32-year-old Gabriel Espino and arrested him during a traffic stop in Daleville.
Investigators believe Espino first began having sexual relations with his victim when she was 15 years old.
“The victim told police she was okay with the contact at first, but then he began to threaten her and said he would hurt her family,” 1819 News reports.
During questioning, Espino reportedly admitted he has been living in the U.S. illegally for five years while working construction.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement filed a detainer against Espino shortly after his arrest.
Espino is accused of having sex with the underage girl “by forcible compulsion” and has been charged with first-degree rape.
He was ordered held on $250,000 bond and his next hearing was set for September 10.
Authorities continue to catch dangerous foreign criminals illegally present in the U.S.
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