SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Dominican authorities on Friday ordered the arrest of a Dominican soldier accused of raping a 14-year-old Haitian girl while searching for immigrants in the country illegally near the upscale resort town of Punta Cana.
The soldier, identified as Paulino de la Cruz, is one of 15 members of the Dominican Air Force who accompanied immigration inspectors searching for immigrants in an area known as Verón, where migrants mostly from Haiti have settled.
The incident took place while the minor’s mother — who filed the complaint to the Prosecutor’s Office for Victims of Gender, Domestic Violence and Sexual Crimes — was not at home.
Authorities summoned the soldiers who participated in the immigration operation, so that the victim could identify the perpetrator. The victim identified the suspect “in a clear and precise manner,” according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.
If found guilty of rape, the soldier could be sentenced to between 10 and 20 years in prison.
The AP is not naming the girl’s mother in order to preserve her privacy.
Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Defending national champion LSU boosts its postseason hopes with series win against Texas A&M
Bank holiday scorcher! Temperatures to hit 21C on Monday
Perth Stabbing: Teen shot dead by police was in deradicalization program
College protests: Columbia University cancels main commencement
Were the events depicted in The Train, starring Burt Lancaster, true?
What Trump's gag order means in his hush money case
Galaxy's McCarthy, Sounders' Frei stellar in scoreless draw
Boeing calls off Starliner launch due to rocket issue
Cast of the Lord of the Rings pay tribute to late co
155 police officers injured at German soccer match, most from tear
Bruins vs Maple Leafs: Pastrnak scores in overtime for Game 7 win