Mendez
Andrews – An illegal immigrant is accused of sexually assaulting a local child.
Benito Morales Mendez, 39, of Andrews, was arrested Sept. 24 in an investigation that began in January. That’s when the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint about a sexual assault involving a minor, and detectives later identified Mendez as the suspect.
During the investigation, authorities received an allegation that Mendez also violated a domestic violence protective order. When detectives tried to arrest Mendez, they learned that he had fled from North Carolina.
Officials say he fled to Texas and is not a legal citizen of the United States. The U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force and Department of Homeland Security Investigations assisted in locating Mendez in Texas.
Mendez is charged with statutory rape of a child by adult and violating a domestic violence protection order. A judge set a $500,000 secured bond.
Additionally, federal authorities issued a U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement detainer, which prevents Mendez from paying bond and being released from jail. He must stay in custody while the case moves through the court process.
Mendez is expected in Cherokee County District Court on Friday for his first appearance. HAVEN Children’s Advocacy Center, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee County Department of Social Services and Cherokee County Schools assisted in the investigation.