Honduran Immigrants Charged with Raping Teen

[Lucinda F. Boyd]

Horseshoe Bay, TX - Horseshoe Bay Police say a 14-year-old girl was raped by two illegal immigrants at a 4th of July party in south Horseshoe Bay.

The victim told police that she had gone with her cousin to a July 4th party on 39th Street in Horseshoe Bay. The victim's 23-year-old cousin left her alone in a room with Anibal Escobar, 19, and Anael Martinez, 22. The two Honduran natives made sexual advances toward the teen and had sexual intercourse with her against her will. The victim's cousin found her in naked in the bath tub. They both left the party and returned home.

The victim told her mother the next day of what had happened and she contacted police to report the sexual assault. The victim was questioned by a forensics interviewer with the Hill Country Advocacy Center in Burnet and the victim relayed the events of the alleged incident with Horseshoe Bay investigators present. Investigators contacted Texas Ranger Jesse Ramos who assisted in the investigation in interviewing the suspects and others present at the residence as none of the group of witnesses or suspects spoke English.

Escobar and Martinez were arrested during the early morning hours of July 9th. They were both charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Younger than 17, a first degree felony, and transported to the Burnet Detention Facility. Both remain in custody in lieu of magistration and setting of bond.

The investigation is continuing and may result in additional charges. Investigators are in contact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in regards to the status of the two suspects who have indicated they are in the country illegally..