Authorities have arrested Marvin Perez Lopez, an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, on charges of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor in Florida. According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Lopez is accused of abducting and assaulting a child under the age of 13. He remains in the Palm Beach County Jail without bail.

Investigators discovered that Perez Lopez left Guatemala in January, made his way through Mexico, and surrendered to the U.S. Border Patrol. He was released with a scheduled court date set for 2027, which allowed him to relocate to Florida. His arrest highlights the complexities of managing immigration and ensuring public safety.

This incident comes on the heels of a similar case involving three Guatemalan nationals who were arrested for allegedly abducting a woman from the 5000 block of Lake Osborne Drive in Palm Beach County. Authorities say that in March, the victim managed to escape and flag down a passerby for help. The three men, Andres Felipe Morales, Darinel Ordonez Jjimenez, and Marcos Felipe Ramirez, have been charged with sexual assault, false imprisonment, and felony criminal conspiracy.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office is working closely with other law enforcement agencies to protect vulnerable individuals and urges anyone with information to come forward. Community advocates are also stepping up efforts to prevent such crimes and provide assistance to victims.