Rape in Boutte

Marcos Jiminez, 24, Mexico

Mexican illegal charged with the illicit crime
St. Charles Parish Detectives arrested Marcos A. Jiminez, 24, an illegal alien from Mexico Monday morning. Jiminez, who was residing at 121 Lakewood Dr. #73 at Lakewood Apartments, was charged with aggravated rape and armed robbery.

The incident occurred at a motel in Boutte, as the victim was raped at knifepoint. Jiminez also took an undetermined amount of cash from the motel.

St. Charles Parish Detectives ascertained Jiminez’s identity from the motel's surveillance cameras. Currently, he is in custody at the St. Charles Parish Jail, as he was booked yesterday for the crimes. Judge Granier set Jiminez's bond at $950,000.

If convicted for his crimes, Sheriff Greg Champagne said, "Aggravated rape carries a mandatory life sentence, and armed robbery carries up to 99 years," which would be served in Louisiana before facing deportation back Mexico.

"He was living in the apartment with 6 other illegal Mexican immigrants," said Champagne. It appears as though that they were living in the parish and doing work in the reconstruction efforts.

"Since this is not the first time we have problems with illegal immigrants, we have been in contact with immigration," said Champagne, as he cited the 10 illegals that were busted for trafficking cocaine in St. Rose. While Champagne said that not all new residents to the parish are problems, he feels a few criminal elements have relocated here and are beginning to become a problem. "It seems like it is starting to be a trend.”