A man identified as 26-year-old Cecilio Jiménez Bautista was accused of sexually assaulting an immigrant minor who had been brought in illegally into the United States from Tijuana, Baja California.

The minor traveled alone with an immigrant group who were being led by Jiménez Bautista and his brother Alexander, through the Otay Mountain Wilderness area in California’s southern border.

According to information shared by legal authorities, during the three days the group was being led through isolated roads, Jiménez Bautista separated the minor from the group in order to scare her and sexually abuse her, causing her serious injuries.

Jiménez Bautista and his brother were arrested by the US Border Patrol near Otay Lakes Road. The accusation against Jiménez Bautista includes child sexual assault charges and serious crimes, which could led him to be sentenced to life in prison.

According to a statement issued by ICE, Special Agent in Charge, HSI San Diego, Chad Plantz claimed that “the danger of smuggling people cannot be overstated … according to the report, this young woman trusted these smugglers. They, in turn, showed that they care more about their own gains than human life.”

Moreover, US Attorney, Randy Grossman, shared the following about this case: “The United States is committed to protect the human rights of all people in our land, especially the most vulnerable.”

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