By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
Jose Luis Gonzalez
A Harlingen man was arrested by San Benito police after being accused of sexually assaulting two relatives.
Forty-five-year-old Jose Luis Gonzalez was arrested at approximately 12:49 p.m. Wednesday, February 20, at his residence on the 700 block of Orange Heights in Harlingen.
“He was picked up yesterday after several warrants were issued for arrest,” said Detective Rogelio Banda Jr. of the San Benito Police Department on Thursday.
Gonzalez is charged with two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a young child, two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child. “He was accused by family members in the span of several years of inappropriately touching them,” Banda said.
According to Banda, Gonzalez came under investigation after one of the victims, who’s now an adult, came forward and reported the incident to the SBPD.
“Child Protective Services, in a joint investigation with the SBPD, were able to determine that another child had been victimized in the household,” said Banda in reference to a 12-year-old girl who alleged that Gonzalez had inappropriately touched her over the course of four years. “He used to reside with them, but he hasn’t been part of the household for several years. He was constantly on the move.”
It was not until Wednesday that the investigators were able to locate Gonzalez as he was leaving his residence. Police then initiated a traffic stop and were able to place him under arrest, Banda said.
Gonzalez was transported to San Benito city jail, where he was arraigned by Justice of the Peace David Garza. His bond was set at $60,000. He was transported to the Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center Thursday morning.
According to Banda, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an immigration detainer on Gonzalez, who is originally from Mexico. His immigration status is being questioned by DHS.
Read this story in the Feb. 24 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
2 comments
With great effort, pain, and loss, we two have broken the silence that had poisoned so much of our lives. We are free. We do not need police, juries, and especially judges to confirm our freedom. Rejoice in that dear sister. WE ARE FREE.
Interesting the victim now an adult has weight in this case….good for her. SBPD did absolutely nothing for me and my sister when we also as adults came forward. Some get justice GREAT but those of us that don’t have to live knowing there is a pedophile roaming the streets of San Banito. Just doesn’t seem right does it?