Enterprise rape suspect who illegally immigrated to the U.S. now facing human trafficking, other charges

Richard Everett
·2 min read
2

COFFEE COUNTY, Ala (WDHN) — More information has been released on the recent arrest of an Enterprise man accused of raping a 14-year-old girl, including his new charges.

Pablo Mendoza was arrested on Monday, March 25, and initially charged with one count of rape. During a press conference Thursday afternoon, it was revealed the rape charge was dropped this week, and investigators charged him with one count of human trafficking in the first degree, sodomy in the second degree, and sexual abuse in the second degree.

Court documents claim 23-year-old Mendoza had sex with a 14-year-old girl who could not consent due to her being “physically helpless or mentally incapacitated.”

Enterprise Police Chief Micheal Moore told WDHN that Mendoza was arrested after his investigators received a tip from the girl’s parents.

According to District Attorney James Tarbox, during an investigation, it was discovered that Mendoza and the girl had been in contact over several days, during which time they engaged in sexual activities that involved alcohol that could have impaired the girl’s mental capacities.

The Coffee and Pike County District attorney described the incident as a “grooming situation.”

Tarbox said Mendoza had tried to convince the girl to leave Alabama with an unknown man and then threatened her if she didn’t.

“I expect testimony to be provided that will indicate that the defendant (Mendoza) promised to take care of the girl, provide her with money, and asked her to change her appearance in an attempt to lure her away to this unknown male subject,” said District Attorney Tarbox.

The investigation is ongoing, and Chief Micheal Moore says Mendoza may be a part of a bigger operation. No additional information has been released on the investigation.

Tarbox revealed to WDHN that Mendoza was deported from the United States at one point in the past but illegally returned to the country sometime before the crime took place.

Since his arrest, Mendoza has been held in the Coffee County Jail pending an Aniah’s Law Hearing on Thursday afternoon.

“If you hurt a child, they (Enterprise Police) are going to do everything they can to lock you up, and we are going to do everything we can to make sure you stay there,” said Tarbox.

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