Arrest Made in Alleged Child Molestation Case
A Florida man has been apprehended on charges of molesting a 6-year-old girl with whom he shared a residence, according to the local police.
The Accused
Wuiliam Gerardo Colmenares-Mendez, a 56-year-old native of Venezuela, faces serious charges, including two counts of capital sexual battery and two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation. He also stands accused of exposing explicit material to a minor.
Allegations Surface
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office received the initial report of these disturbing allegations on September 5. Upon their arrival at the victim’s home in Kissimmee, deputies were met with a heart-wrenching account from the young girl herself.
The Disturbing Details
During the investigation, it was revealed that on one occasion, the suspect restrained the child, covering her mouth with one hand while using the other to touch her inappropriately. On another occasion, Colmenares-Mendez exposed her to explicit content on his cellphone before molesting her.
Living Under the Same Roof
Authorities disclosed that Colmenares-Mendez had been residing with the victim’s family for a few months. The child’s mother noticed suspicious behavior and confronted the suspect, but he denied any wrongdoing.
Sheriff Marcos Lopez stated during a press conference, “He was renting a room in the same residence with the victim and her mother. He was a stranger prior to them all moving into the same place.”
Reporting and Moving On
Eventually, the mother and daughter left the residence. It was after this move that the child confided in her mother about the traumatic incidents.
Lopez commended the young girl’s bravery, saying, “He made sure he told her not to tell anyone, but unfortunately for him, he picked the wrong victim. This brave little girl did tell. She did exactly what you should do — she told her mom, she told school officials, and then she told law enforcement what had happened to her.”
Legal Consequences
In addition to the criminal charges, Colmenares-Mendez, who may be residing in the U.S. without proper documentation, has been reported to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is currently held under an immigration detainer. Further inquiries to ICE for additional information are pending.