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Venezuelan migrant who entered US illegally charged with raping teen girl in Virginia

A Venezuelan migrant in the US illegally after being stopped — and then released — at the border five months ago has now been charged in Virginia with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Renzo Mendoza Montes, 32, was arrested last week on two felony charges for sexually assaulting an underage child, deputies in Campbell County announced.

Renzo Mendoza Montes, 32, is pictured in a mugshot.
Renzo Mendoza Montes, 32, was arrested last week on two felony charges for sexually assaulting an underage child. Blue Ridge Regional Jail

He is facing charges of “carnal knowledge of a child without force” and “taking indecent liberties with a child.”

Authorities say Montes is a Venezuelan citizen who has been in the country illegally since he crossed the southern border into El Paso, Texas, on Sept. 2.

He was detained and released by US Customs and Border Protection, officials told Fox News.

Montes is being held without bail at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail, as deputies continue to investigate the alleged crimes.

“We are especially sensitive to the fact that these crimes involve a young juvenile who lives here within our community,” Sheriff Whit Clark said in a statement.

“Like any criminal investigation conducted by the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, upholding the integrity of a case is a priority for our department and the Campbell County Commonwealth’s Attorney.”

Migrants are processed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers after they crossed ithe U.S.-Mexico border on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024.
Authorities say Montes has been in the country illegally since he crossed the southern border into El Paso, Texas, in September. James Keivom

Gov. Glenn Youngkin also spoke out about the case and said Montes would face the full weight of the Virginia justice system.

“We pray for the victim tonight and thank the Campbell County Sheriff’s Department,” he said in a post on X.

“Let’s be clear, prosecution must be to the fullest extent of the law.”

The Post has reached out to Customs and Border Protection for comment.