Mugshot of Benjamin O. Torres. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — Police have arrested and charged a man accused of sexually assaulting a minor relative.
According to an affidavit, on the night of May 19th, an individual called police to report that a young girl had been sexually assaulted by an adult male relative identified as Benjamin Torres, age 43. According to the adult, the child said that Torres came into her bedroom around 3:00 a.m. wanting to talk about his past relationship. He then allegedly began to touch the child inappropriately and subsequently performed sex acts on her.
Police then made contact with the minor victim who was in the emergency room of a medical facility where a sexual assault kit was performed. The child told police that Torres lives in the vicinity and has a key to where she resides. On the night in question, she was watching television when Torres entered the residence to use the bathroom. She recounted that during the incident she was scared and tried to remain focused on watching television while he assaulted her.
According to the affidavit, police were initially unable to locate Torres. However, on the afternoon of May 30th, they received a call that his vehicle had been spotted at the southwest side parking lot at the Henry E Rohlsen Airport. His family had not seen or heard from him since the incident and had reason to believe that he had fled the territory. His relatives indicated that he had withdrawn money from the airport ATM and that he has family in Puerto Rico.
On June 1st police contacted an agent from Homeland Security to find out whether Torres had left St. Croix. Law enforcement discovered that Torres had left St. Croix on the morning of May 20th and had traveled to Puerto Rico. A warrant for his arrest was subsequently issued, charging him with first-degree aggravated rape and first-degree unlawful sexual contact.
While Torres was arrested at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on Wednesday after returning to the territory, according to the V.I.P.D. He appeared before a St. Croix judge on Friday who ruled that bail would remain at $50,000 — the amount at which it was initially set. Torres must post the full amount and identify a suitable third-party custodian in order to be released. If released, he will be prohibited from residing at his previous address as it is in close proximity to the minor victim. He will also be placed on 24-hour house arrest.
Advertisements
