Exclusive to Fox: The Department of Homeland Security is highlighting its efforts to work with New York officials to prevent an undocumented immigrant, accused of the horrific crime of raping a 5-year-old girl in Long Island, from being released, despite state laws designed to restrict such cooperation.
Carlos Aguilar Reynoso, 27, originally from Guatemala, was looking after the child as a favor to her mother. Upon returning home from work on February 1, the mother discovered her daughter bleeding from her underwear, which led her to rush the child to the hospital.
The young girl was subsequently moved to a specialized medical center where she underwent a rape examination and required surgery for internal injuries, according to a report from the New York Post, which cited sources within law enforcement.
Reynoso, facing allegations of this heinous act, was detained by immigration officials and is now subject to a final deportation order.
Despite the DNA evidence still being processed, Reynoso could only be charged with child welfare endangerment initially, a charge that does not allow prosecutors to request bail under New York’s reformed bail laws. Additionally, state sanctuary policies would typically prevent federal immigration authorities from detaining Reynoso.
“Carlos Aguilar Reynoso, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, faced charges for the rape of a five-year-old in New York. As local authorities worked on processing DNA and building their case, they reached out to ICE to ensure he was apprehended and not released back into the community where he could harm more innocent children,” stated Lauren Bis, Acting Assistant Secretary.
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer’s badge and gear. (Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
In a move to circumvent sanctuary laws, Reynoso was given a desk-appearance ticket so he would be processed and released from a police precinct for the endangerment charge.
ICE agents nabbed Reynoso as he was leaving a police precinct the day after the alleged rape. DNA results later tied him to the rape, authorities said.
On Monday, Reynoso was charged with predatory sex assault against a child, vaginal sexual contact with a child, sexual abuse, acting in a manner to injure a child and resisting arrest.
“This case shows why we need local law enforcement cooperation. When we work together, our communities are safer,” Bis said.
DHS noted that seven of the 10 safest cities cooperate with ICE.
Last week, Reynoso was issued a final order of removal from the United States by an immigration judge.
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