Andres Castaneda-Guzman had romantically pursued a 15-year-old for weeks.
But when his advances were turned down, Castaneda-Guzman’s “jealous and possessive” ways reached a fever pitch during a party in Texas when he lured her away from a home, traveled to Stockbridge and raped her, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court.
Castaneda-Guzman, who is in the United States illegally, was indicted on statutory rape and aggravated child molestation charges Nov. 14, U.S. Attorney Byung “BJay” Pak said Tuesday in a statement. The 24-year-old pleaded not guilty at a hearing Monday, court documents show. He also faces federal kidnapping charges.
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Castaneda-Guzman, who is described as the girl’s distant relative, was a guest at the Sept. 2 party in Terrell, Texas, and offered to drive her to meet invited guests who were lost, according to an affidavit. As the night went on, the girl’s parents searched for their daughter and reported her missing once they realized she was not inside the home.
“Soon thereafter, a friend told (the girl’s family) that Castaneda-Guzman was taking (her) to Jonesboro, where (he) had previously resided,” a U.S. Homeland Security agent stated in the affidavit. Castaneda-Guzman has former in-laws who live in the city.
The family traveled to Jonesboro and met with Clayton County police at a trailer park, where those in-laws tipped off Castaneda-Guzman about authorities, according to the complaint. Within minutes, the alleged victim arrived in a taxi to the trailer park. The cab driver said he picked her up at a Forest Park home.
Castaneda-Guzman later arrived at the trailer park and was arrested.
The girl’s mother told authorities she had no reason to suspect or fear Castaneda-Guzman would abduct her daughter, but an Oct. 5 interview with the victim indicated Castaneda-Guzman may have been planning this for weeks.
The girl told a Homeland Security investigations forensic interview specialist that she repeatedly turned down Castaneda-Guzman’s advances, but he grew envious and controlling as the party approached. Still, she told authorities she didn’t expect him to take her to Georgia.
Once there, the victim attempted to call home when she gained access to a cellphone but said one of Castaneda-Guzman’s “former in-laws caught her and removed the battery from the phone,” according to the complaint.
Authorities said Castaneda-Guzman then took her to a La Quinta hotel in Stockbridge and forced her to have sex.
“The next day, (he) took her to the home of one of his friends, and they remained there until (he) learned that police and (the victim’s family) were looking for her,” the Homeland Security agent stated.
Castaneda-Guzman is also accused of violating the federal kidnapping statute that prohibits kidnapping or abducting a person for ransom, reward or other desired purpose, including sexual indulgence.
“We are fully engaged in combating child exploitation and will prosecute anyone who believes they can pursue this vile practice,” Pak said.
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