A man who was illegally in the country attacked an elderly woman in her Central Florida home, according to local law enforcement.
The 77-year-old Central Florida victim was awakened at around 4am after she heard a noise. The unknown man entered her bedroom, forcibly removed the victim’s garments, and sexually battered her and then slapped her when she tried to get away.
The victim attempted to escape through the front door when the suspect went into the bathroom, but the suspect chased after her and dragged her back inside and choked her.
The suspect fled from the scene and the victim called the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Local detectives quickly solved the burglary and vicious sexual battery of an elderly woman in her Mulberry residence.
PCSO detectives began a neighborhood canvass for possible witnesses or other information. At one of the homes they checked, detectives spoke with two of the occupants while a third was inside taking a shower.
When contact was made with the third occupant, detectives noticed that he matched the description given by the victim.
Located inside the residence was clothing that the victim also described.
According to law enforcement, the man was identified as 24-year-old Axel Antonio Espinal Herrera, of Honduras. He initially began speaking with detectives but then refused to answer any more questions. Detectives obtained a search warrant for swabbings from Espinal Herrera and photos. During this collection of evidence, multiple scratches were found on Espinal Herrera’s body which were consistent with the victim’s statements. Espinal Herrera was also found to be in possession of cocaine.
The victim was able to pick Espinal Herrera out of a photo line-up.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Axel Antonio Espinal Herrera was arrested and taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center where he was booked-in on multiple charges. Espinal Herrera was in the United States illegally, so the following charges reflect a one-degree enhancement: Kidnapping, Sexual Battery by Force, Burglary with Battery, Tampering with Evidence, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Loitering/Prowling.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement was contacted, and a detainer was placed on Espinal Herrera. Two other men who resided with Espinal Herrera were also determined to be from Honduras and in the United States illegally, and they were also taken into custody on ICE holds.
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