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
BP defeated thousands of suits by sick Gulf spill cleanup workers. But not one by a boat captain
Chinese paddlers reign supreme at Durban table tennis worlds
Thai leaders ready to increase humanitarian aid in Myanmar — Radio Free Asia
Xi Arrives in South Africa for 15th BRICS Summit, State Visit
China Focus: China embraces wider winter sports, leisure participation
Ski resorts in east China make full preparations during Spring Festival holiday
Nebraska's governor says he'll call lawmakers back to address tax relief
Xi Says BRICS Important Force in Shaping Int'l Landscape
Taylor Swift channels her bridal Grammy look in Fortnight video teaser
Chinese paddlers Wang, Sun lift trophies at WTT Cup Finals