Accused rapist pleads guilty to child neglect

~~Adz:Left~~St. Croix, USVI – A man charged with two counts each of second-degree rape, aggravated second-degree rape and child abuse pleaded guilty to one count of child neglect on Monday.

26-year-old Efrain Rodriguez was arrested in June, 2007 and charged with multiple counts of sexual offences stemming from an alleged sexual encounter with a 16-year-old girl.

Instead of standing trial for the crimes, Rodriquez struck a plea bargain with federal prosecutors and pled guilty to the lesser charge of child neglect, for which a guilty verdict could carry up to a one-year prison sentence. The more staid charges were dismissed as part of the deal.

According to the particulars of the case, the teenage girl confessed to her mother that she had spent the night with Rodriquez and the two had had sex at his home. The girl had been reported missing by her mother during said time.

A police investigation ensued and after Rodriquez could not be located to answer to the accusation, police solicited the girl’s help and a meeting was set up between herself and Rodriquez at Estate Ruby.

When the unwitting man showed up for the rendezvous, police apprehended him on the spot.

Rodriquez will learn his fate on Oct. 15 when Superior Court Judge Julio Brady hands down his sentence.