Honduran Immigrant Arrested for Allegedly Assaulting 13-Year-Old Girl in Florida

January 15, 2025 TruthUSA

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office reported that two robbery victims linked to the suspect have been identified.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) has revealed that a man from Honduras, who is an illegal immigrant, was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenager. The office is seeking assistance from the public as there may be more victims involved.

The suspect, Santo Martinez Varela, was located by detectives and apprehended on January 11 after his identity was confirmed through DNA testing, as stated by the PBSO on their Facebook page on January 13.

Varela has since been booked into the Palm Beach County Jail, where he is being held without bail on charges of sexual assault, kidnapping, and armed robbery, according to inmate records.

In addition to the 13-year-old girl, other victims of robbery associated with the suspect have come to light.

“Two robbery victims have been found,” PBSO media relations representative Therese Barbera informed The Epoch Times via email on January 14.

Barbera also noted that Varela has “a detainer from ICE.”

A detainer issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a request for federal, state, or local law enforcement to inform ICE prior to releasing a noncitizen and to hold that individual for an additional 48 hours, providing ICE time to take custody of them.

Investigations conducted by the sheriff’s office revealed that Varela illegally crossed the border in 2023 and subsequently traveled to West Palm Beach, where he is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in early January.

“To anyone contemplating committing such heinous acts in Palm Beach County: We will find you. Justice will be served,” the sheriff’s office stated on Facebook.

The PBSO has indicated that there might be more victims, encouraging the public to assist.

“Our investigation into Santo Martinez Varela remains active, and detectives now suspect there may be additional victims,” the PBSO noted. “If you recognize him or have had any encounters with him, now is your opportunity to achieve the justice you deserve. We are dedicated to ensuring every victim’s voice is acknowledged.”

The public is urged to report any information to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS (8477) or Detective Skuza at [email protected] or 561-688-4004.

According to the authorities, Varela purportedly approached the victim and began sexually assaulting her near Pinehurst Park and Forest Hill Boulevard after 11 PM on January 2.

The sexual assault of a teenager by an illegal immigrant has sparked significant outrage on social media.

“Keep him locked up until next Monday … then 47 will handle it,” commented author Zack Zehnder on Facebook, referencing President-elect Donald Trump’s forthcoming inauguration on January 20.

Trump has pledged to promptly sign executive orders post-inauguration aimed at securing the border and deporting criminal illegal immigrants.

“President-elect Trump was elected with a mandate to prevent illegal immigration and deport undocumented individuals already in our nation,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis posted on X on January 13.

“State and local leaders in Florida will actively support the Trump Administration’s initiatives against illegal immigration, and we need to immediately allocate and approve the required funding and resources.”

The governor has requested a special session on January 27 to allocate funds to implement Trump’s immigration policies.

In response to DeSantis’s statement, Trump expressed gratitude on Truth Social, writing: “Thank you, Ron. Hopefully, other governors will follow suit.”

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