BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Erie County District Attorney's Office announced that 26-year-old Jesus D. Guzman-Bermudez of Venezuela was arraigned Friday in Cheektowaga Town Court on one count of first-degree rape, one count of second-degree unlawful imprisonment, one count of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of second-degree harassment.
Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said Guzman-Bermudez and the victim know each other.
"Even though, like I said, they were a couple, it still can be rape obviously if the facts warrant and so he was arrested and he was arraigned late Friday morning," Flynn said.
Flynn said Guzman-Bermudez and the victim are both asylum seekers here in Western New York. He is accused of forcibly engaging in sexual intercourse with the victim inside a hotel room on the 4000 block of Genesee Street in the Town of Cheektowaga on August 2. The alleged crime occurred in the presence of the couple's three-year-old child. When the incident happened, the victim contacted a case worker. Cheektowaga Police then responded.
Flynn said out of the more than 500 asylum seekers that are staying in the hotels near the airport, four have been charged with crimes.
"It's not a matter that needs to be enflamed that you have this individual who is you know going out in town and raping and pillaging that's not what happened here, Flynn said.
The allegations are stirring up debate among Western New York political leaders.
"For generations, America has welcomed migrants seeking safety and a better life to our shores. Any asylum seeker who shatters the sacred trust placed in them by violating the law, including against a fellow asylum seeker as in this matter, should be swiftly prosecuted and deported after they are punished for their crimes. I thank Cheektowaga Police and the District Attorney’s Office for taking swift action against the perpetrator, and I am thankful no county residents were involved in this incident."
I am speechless, sick, and heartbroken for the victim and family of this crime. I have two daughters, my youngest is almost three years old, and the thought of having an innocent child witness something so evil and brutal is unfathomable. There is a special place in hell for individuals that commit such heinous atrocities. This is every mother’s worst fear come true, something that Mark Poloncarz will never understand and will never have to live with.
Mark Poloncarz brought this problem to our community. Our concerns are real and valid, and now Cheektowaga, Amherst, and Hamburg bear this burden. For months, the community has been asking for a safety plan, to which we’ve been met with silence and indifference. Mark’s failure to lead and take a stand against New York City and the Governor will continue negatively affecting Western New York.
Make no mistake; this is going to get worse. There are still so many unanswered questions, and now that the school year is approaching and New York City is running out of money, we have yet to see the true cost of this crisis in Erie County.
Mark has failed this community with a staggering and profound lack of leadership, and this crisis will only worsen. Erie County residents deserve so much better and need a County Executive that has the courage to lead, make tough decisions, and put the interests and safety of residents and taxpayers first. 12 years is more than enough failure for one career politician.”
Guzman-Bermudez is scheduled to return on Wednesday for a felony hearing and was held without bail. In addition, a temporary order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim. The charges against Guzman-Bermudez carry a maximum sentence upon conviction of 25 years in prison.
