A Guatemalan man illegal in the United States was taken into custody Sunday after police in north Alabama said he was caught sexually abusing a child.
Luis Lopez-Martinez, 38, was arrested by Limestone County sheriff’s deputies after a 911 caller reported he had been “caught abusing a child under 12 years old,” the sheriff’s office said Tuesday .
The victim’s family allegedly witnessed the act and held Lopez-Martinez until police arrived, LCSO said. He was then arrested by Limestone County Deputy Bradley Fontenot.
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Luis Lopez-Martinez, 38, was taken into custody after he was caught sexually abusing a child under 12 in Limestone County, Alabama, on Sunday, according to local authorities. (Limestone County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook)
Lopez-Martinez was initially identified by a different name, but authorities later confirmed his real identity.
The victim, who was newly identified as under the age of 12, was immediately taken to an area hospital for medical evaluation and care.
Lopez-Martinez was arrested after allegedly confessed to sexually abusing the child during an interview with an investigator and said, “It is what it is,” according to the sheriff’s office.
He remains in jail on $250,000 bond.
The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office took Luis Lopez-Martinez into custody on January 19 after the victim’s family allegedly caught him sexually assaulting a child and detained him. (Limestone County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook)
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has a immigration prisoner rest on him, which should prevent him from returning to the community even if he posts bail.
“When a law enforcement agency honors a detainee, they notify ICE before releasing a potentially dangerous noncitizen. ICE federal law enforcement officers then take the noncitizen into custody in the secure environment of the facility,” ICE said on its website in explaining the detainees.
Luis Lopez-Martinez, 38, has been placed in immigration detention by ICE after allegedly confessing to sexually assaulting a child under the age of 12. (Bryan Cox/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via Getty Images)
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The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains active additional costs are possible.
“I would like to thank Deputy Fontenot and Investigator (Kandace) Wilson for their dedication and tireless efforts in seeking justice for this innocent child,” said LCSO Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin. “Their efforts strengthen our commitment to protect the most vulnerable members of our community and ensure justice is served.”
