Step-father charged with 8 counts of rape in Minnehaha County
A Sioux Falls man has been charged with eight counts of first-degree rape, after a victim disclosed to a teacher that both her and her sister had been sexually assaulted at home, according to court documents
An affidavit obtained by the Argus Leader on Tuesday states Diego Alonzo Alonzo, 33, and listed as the victims' stepfather, allegedly raped both victims when they were between the ages of 7 and 11 years old. The two share a bedroom, and both victims are now 12 and 13, according to the documents.
In the affidavit, one victim said Alonzo Alonzo would come into the bedroom, point at her or her sister, then say "You," meaning he had selected that child to sexually assault.
According to the affidavit, one victim described instances when the defendant would grab her and take her into another room to sexually assault her, while her mother wasn't home. The victim would yell and tell the defendant "No," according to the affidavit.
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The affidavit alleges Alonzo Alonzo would turn off the lights and WiFi in the home while sexually assaulting the child. Alonzo Alonzo would allegedly give the victim Roblox, money and items from a grocery or convenience store as a "bribe," to not tell anyone what was happening, the documents state.
The other victim described a time when she was sleeping in her bedroom with her sister. The affidavit alleges Alonzo Alonzo entered the room and picked up one of the children and carried her into the living room, when she started to call for help. Alonzo Alonzo allegedly threatened the victim to choke her if she woke anyone up and said if her mother found out what was going on, she would be taken away.
He turned off the WiFi and lights in the home in that incident also, the affidavit said.
One victim also recounted a time where she was woken up by the sound of her sister crying in pain, the affidavit stated. When she turned the lights on, she could allegedly see the defendant raping her sister, who was 11 years old at the time of the incident.
In the affidavit, officers allege it was apparent from interviews with both victims they had been assaulted more times than they were "able to recount." Alonzo Alonzo told a child protection services employee he is originally from Guatemala and not a legal resident of the United States, according to the affidavit.
The eight pending rape charges are Class C felonies that carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and $50,000 fine.
He his being held on a more than $1 million bond in the Minnehaha County Jail.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota step-father charged with 8 counts of first-degree rape
