A Mississippi man who raped a 12-year-old girl hours after approaching her in a bathroom was sentenced to prison on Tuesday.
The Clarion Ledger reported that Valentin Ariosto Alfronso-Arguello, 38, will serve 20 years in prison for the sexual battery committed after approaching the victim in a bathroom at the restaurant he worked at. Authorities said Alfronso-Arguello forced the girl to give him her phone number and address hours before the sexual assault.
The girl’s mother claimed she woke up at 3 a.m. and discovered that her bedroom light was on but she wasn’t there. The mother opened the front door and spotted her daughter walking into the home and a pickup truck speeding off with one door open, according to the newspaper.
The victim later admitted to her father that Alfronso-Arguello had texted her saying that he wanted to see her after his shift ended. She also claimed that he was already en route when he sent the texts, WLBT reported.
The 12-year-old said she got into Alfronso-Arguello’s truck, where he forced himself on top of her and raped her despite her repeatedly saying no. The story she gave to the Children’s Advocacy Center was consistent with what she told hospital nurses and her father, according to the news station.
Not only did Alfronso-Arguello admit to having sex with the victim, but a search of his cell phone produced texts between him and the victim which also supported her claims.
Assistant District Attorney Katie Moulds told the Ledger that Alfronso-Arguello is in the country illegally and will be subject to deportation after serving his prison sentence. If he isn’t deported, he’ll be required to register as a sex offender.
[Featured image: Valentin Ariosto Alfronso-Arguello/Madison County Detention Center]
