A 32-year-old illegal alien from Mexico was given bond Wednesday after being charged with raping a Daleville teen.
Gabriel Espino is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with the teen "by forcible compulsion" and is charged with first-degree rape.
Investigators were first alerted by the pastor of the victim's church. Police believe Espino became sexually involved with the girl when she was 15 years old, and the activity continued for six months. During that time, the girl turned 16.
The victim told police she was okay with the contact at first, but then he began to threaten her and said he would hurt her family.
Espino was arrested during a traffic stop on August 9. He admitted to Daleville Police that he has been working in construction and living in the United States illegally for five years.
Daleville investigators alerted Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which put him on a detainer in case he was able to post bail.
Attorneys for the defendant say the relationship was consensual, and their client should only be charged with a Class B felony and should be allowed bond.
After an Aniah's Law hearing to keep Espino behind bars, Dale County District Judge W. Stanley Garner, Jr. ordered a $250,000 bond despite concluding that Espino was a flight risk.
As part of the bond, Espino is to have no contact with the victim and cannot leave the state. He is represented by a court-appointed attorney.
As of Thursday evening, Espino had not posted bond and was still booked in the Dale County Jail.
Judge Garner set a preliminary hearing for September 10.
Espino is considered innocent until proven guilty.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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