U.S. federal immigration officials have suggested that a Guatemalan man, Alexis Pinto, who is facing serious allegations involving a 14-year-old girl, is in the country unlawfully.
According to prosecutors in Marion County, the 20-year-old was pursued by Indiana police during a high-speed chase that ended with his vehicle submerged in Fall Creek, located in Indianapolis.
The incident occurred on September 13, leaving the young girl with devastating injuries. At the time of the crash, Pinto was already being sought in connection with child sexual abuse warrants related to the same victim.
Pinto was reportedly driving a stolen vehicle when he was spotted by an Indiana State Police trooper traveling westbound on Interstate 70. The trooper attempted to pull him over, but Pinto accelerated to speeds ranging from 90 to 100 miles per hour in an effort to evade arrest.
The chase continued as he drove against traffic on Interstate 65 before losing control and plunging into Fall Creek. After the crash, he was seen swimming away from the submerged car, claiming to police that another person was still in the vehicle.
The girl was rushed to a hospital and is said to have “catastrophic” injuries, with medical professionals noting her prognosis as bleak. Pinto also required hospitalization before facing charges, which include felonies for resisting law enforcement that resulted in severe injury, criminal recklessness, and theft of a vehicle.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has indicated that Pinto is an undocumented immigrant and has been previously arrested for assault. Their statement revealed that on September 13, officers lodged an immigration detainer against Pinto, who hails from Guatemala.
The ICE report noted that Pinto was convicted of second-degree assault earlier this year. They further emphasized the challenges posed by so-called sanctuary cities, stating these locales often obstruct cooperation with ICE, resulting in the release of criminal illegal aliens who go on to commit additional crimes.
Court documents reveal that Pinto allegedly picked up the 14-year-old girl in Newark, New Jersey, and transported her to Baltimore, Maryland, to live with him.
