Illegal immigrant convicted of raping and impregnating 9-year-old Ohio girl receives life sentence.

Ashe SchowJuly 6, 2023

An Illegal Immigrant Convicted of Raping and Impregnating a 9-Year-Old Girl Receives Life Sentence

In a shocking case that has captured national attention, Gerson Fuentes, a 28-year-old illegal immigrant from Guatemala, has been sentenced to life in prison for the rape and impregnation of a 9-year-old girl in Ohio.

The arrest of Fuentes on rape charges last year sent shockwaves through the community. The girl’s story gained further prominence when an Indiana abortion doctor revealed that the young girl had been referred to her due to Ohio law prohibiting her from obtaining an abortion. Ohio Attorney General David Yost, however, clarified that the law would not have prevented the girl from having an abortion if she had become pregnant.

During the sentencing, Fuentes remained silent, except for acknowledging his guilty plea. Franklin County Judge Julie Lynch refrained from commenting, respecting the wishes of the victim’s family. She expressed her difficulty in accepting the joint recommendation for sentencing, stating that it was only due to the family’s request that she agreed to it.

Fuentes’ sentence includes the possibility of parole after 25 years, a fact that Judge Lynch emphasized. She described the crime as the most heinous type of offense, emphasizing the court’s strong stance against the violation of young individuals.

Assistant Franklin County Prosecutor Daniel Lenert provided details of the case, explaining that the victim had visited her primary care doctor, who confirmed her pregnancy. The forensic exam revealed that she was six weeks and four days pregnant, indicating that the assault had occurred when she was just 9 years old.

Following the abortion procedure performed by Dr. Caitlin Bernard in Indianapolis, the case gained further attention. Dr. Bernard faced disciplinary action for violating patient privacy laws. Subsequently, Columbus police obtained DNA samples from multiple men living in the victim’s home, which matched Fuentes’ DNA. Fuentes admitted to raping the young girl on two occasions.

In addition to his life sentence, Fuentes faces the possibility of deportation if granted parole and will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.