Illegal jailed 11 times sought in rape of teen
Illegal immigrant sought in rape of teen
By SKYLER SWISHER/Staff Writer
Maury County deputies and federal agents are looking for an illegal immigrant who is accused of raping a 15-year-old girl less than six hours after being released from jail.
Authorities detained at least 13 suspected illegal immigrants Tuesday during a search for the suspect, Juan Villa, 24, at American Mobile Village in Columbia. The victim’s father filed a complaint with the department, prompting the search.
Villa has been in the Maury County Jail 11 times since 2001 on charges of assault, public intoxication, driving without a license and contempt of court. He was released at 9:44 p.m. Friday on $1,000 bond. Officials said the rape allegedly happened shortly after midnight at a residence in Maury County not belonging to the victim or suspect.
Sheriff Enoch George said local law enforcement contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents before the rape allegedly occurred about deportation but were told the matter would be dealt with at a later date.
“It is very frustrating,” George said. “I don’t know what the statistics are, but these illegals are committing many, many crimes against the citizens of the United States. We try to follow up as best as we can with the manpower that we have.”
Detective Jerry Williams said Villa knew the 15-year-old but the two were not close friends. Villa may be attempting to leave the country, he said.
“I sure would like to get him off the street,” Williams said.
A 13-year-old girl also told deputies during the investigation Tuesday she was raped by Villa, George said. Officials declined to release further details, saying the matter remained under investigation.
The Maury County Sheriff’s Department has detained about 80 illegal immigrants since May, including 25 undocumented workers who were detained June 7. Some citizens and interest groups have accused the department of racial profiling.
George disputed these allegations.
“We are not doing a roundup,” he said. “We are not profiling anyone. What we are doing is we are doing our job.”
The sheriff said he will continue to work with federal immigration agents to detain illegal immigrants who are encountered during criminal investigations. He is also interested in enrolling in a federal program that would allow deputies to receive training in investigating and detaining illegal immigrants.
Law enforcement officers cannot grant special exemptions when they encounter illegal immigrants, George said.
“If they are here and they are trying to support their family, they are still here illegally,” he said. “They are still here violating the law.”
Authorities urge anyone with information about Villa's whereabouts to call the Sheriff's Department at (931) 388-5151 or Maury County Crime Stoppers at (931) 381-4900.
Skyler Swisher may be contacted at sswisher@c-dh.net or (931) 388-6464 ext.
By SKYLER SWISHER/Staff Writer
Maury County deputies and federal agents are looking for an illegal immigrant who is accused of raping a 15-year-old girl less than six hours after being released from jail.
Authorities detained at least 13 suspected illegal immigrants Tuesday during a search for the suspect, Juan Villa, 24, at American Mobile Village in Columbia. The victim’s father filed a complaint with the department, prompting the search.
Villa has been in the Maury County Jail 11 times since 2001 on charges of assault, public intoxication, driving without a license and contempt of court. He was released at 9:44 p.m. Friday on $1,000 bond. Officials said the rape allegedly happened shortly after midnight at a residence in Maury County not belonging to the victim or suspect.
Sheriff Enoch George said local law enforcement contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents before the rape allegedly occurred about deportation but were told the matter would be dealt with at a later date.
“It is very frustrating,” George said. “I don’t know what the statistics are, but these illegals are committing many, many crimes against the citizens of the United States. We try to follow up as best as we can with the manpower that we have.”
Detective Jerry Williams said Villa knew the 15-year-old but the two were not close friends. Villa may be attempting to leave the country, he said.
“I sure would like to get him off the street,” Williams said.
A 13-year-old girl also told deputies during the investigation Tuesday she was raped by Villa, George said. Officials declined to release further details, saying the matter remained under investigation.
The Maury County Sheriff’s Department has detained about 80 illegal immigrants since May, including 25 undocumented workers who were detained June 7. Some citizens and interest groups have accused the department of racial profiling.
George disputed these allegations.
“We are not doing a roundup,” he said. “We are not profiling anyone. What we are doing is we are doing our job.”
The sheriff said he will continue to work with federal immigration agents to detain illegal immigrants who are encountered during criminal investigations. He is also interested in enrolling in a federal program that would allow deputies to receive training in investigating and detaining illegal immigrants.
Law enforcement officers cannot grant special exemptions when they encounter illegal immigrants, George said.
“If they are here and they are trying to support their family, they are still here illegally,” he said. “They are still here violating the law.”
Authorities urge anyone with information about Villa's whereabouts to call the Sheriff's Department at (931) 388-5151 or Maury County Crime Stoppers at (931) 381-4900.
Skyler Swisher may be contacted at sswisher@c-dh.net or (931) 388-6464 ext.
posted by shummer60 at Thursday, July 05, 2007
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