A man from Guatemala illegal in the United States was taken into custody Sunday after police in north Alabama say he was caught sexually abusing a child.
Luis Lopez-Martinez, 38, was arrested by Limestone County sheriff’s deputies after a 911 call reported he was “caught in the act of molesting a child under the age of 12,” the sheriff’s office said Tuesday.
The victim’s family reportedly witnessed the act and detained Lopez-Martinez until police arrived, according to the LCSO. 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 allegedly caught sexually assaulting a child under the age of 12 on Sunday in Limestone County, Alabama, according to local authorities. (Limestone County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook)
Lopez-Martinez was initially identified by a different name, but authorities later confirmed his true identity.
The victim, identified only as being under the age of 12, was immediately taken to an area hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.
Lopez-Martinez was arrested after allegedly admitted to sexually abusing a 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 bail.
The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office took Luis Lopez-Martinez into custody on Jan. 19 after the victim’s family allegedly caught him sexually abusing the child and took him into custody. (Limestone County Sheriff’s Office / Facebook)
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has set immigration detention on him, which should prevent him from returning to the community even if he posts bail.
“When a law enforcement agency honors a detainer, they notify ICE before releasing the potentially dangerous non-citizen. ICE federal law enforcement officers then take the non-citizen into custody in a secure facility environment,” ICE said on its website when explaining to detainers .
Luis Lopez-Martinez, 38, was placed in immigration detention by ICE after he allegedly admitted to sexually abusing a child under the age of 12. (Bryan Cox/US Immigration and Customs Enforcement via Getty Images)
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The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains active additional fees may apply.
“I would like to thank Deputy Fontenot and the investigator [Kandace] Wilson for their dedication and tireless efforts in seeking justice for this innocent child,” said LCSO Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin. “Their efforts reinforce our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community and ensuring justice is served.”
