A 21-year old illegal immigrant that law enforcement believed had fled to Mexico after being charged with raping an unconscious 15-year old girl in Hamilton County, Tennessee, has been arrested.
Erik Santillan, 21, allegedly committed the assault after drinking alcohol with the underage girl and her friend on the evening of June 20, 2022, at a home in the town of Ooltewah, Tennessee, according to a police affidavit obtained by The Epoch Times All three had entered the house after the friends parents went grocery shopping and began drinking until the victim lost consciousness. A short time later, the victim claims to have awoken with several injuries and signs of sexual assault.
According to the complaint, when the minor regained consciousness she discovered she was “bleeding from the vagina” had sustained an “injury to her chin,” and couldn’t find her underwear despite being fully clothed.
Later, a medical examination revealed additional injuries, including several bruises on her thighs, abrasions to her right hip and face, as well as injuries “indicating a vaginal rape had occurred.”
The victim’s friend told police that she also passed out and woke up to see Mr. Santillan on top of the victim. She added that she didn’t believe herself to have been sexually assaulted, however she “couldn’t be totally sure” and was experiencing “some pain in her back.”
An adult who was told at the time of the alleged crime by the victim refused to contact law enforcement, citing the need to “protect the suspect” who was in the country illegally, according to law enforcement.
“[The victim] told Erik’s aunt what had occurred and how she had been raped; however [the victim] had stated the aunt was protecting Erik because she was afraid of law enforcement becoming involved,” the complaint read. “[T]he aunt refused to say anything to her because she was protecting the suspect.”
The girl later told her parents of the sexual assault, and they quickly reported the incident to police.
Law enforcement had initially assumed Mr. Santillan fled back to Mexico and were unable to find him. Earlier this month officers found him living in Orlando, Florida, where they made the arrest.
Crime Wave
States across the nation have seen a recent surge in illegal immigrants—and crime.While a public breakdown of crimes revealing what percentage of offenses have been committed by illegal immigrants isn’t available, the perception exists among many—including political leaders—that a strong correlation exists between the number of people breaking the law to enter the country and the rise in crime that has followed.
Tennessee
In Tennessee, recent data on how many illegal immigrants who have entered the state remain unavailable, but a study from 2020 placed the number at over 130,000.Last year, many Republican leaders expressed outrage after it was announced that a new influx of illegal immigrants would be transported into the state by the federal government.
In December 2022, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said he had been notified by President Joe Biden’s administration that the group would include “multiple busloads of single adult detainees from ICE facilities in New Orleans.”
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton said that providing free transportation to immigrants who entered the country illegally was tantamount to rewarding criminal behavior.
