Man Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault

A man from El Salvador, who was previously released, is back in custody following allegations of sexually assaulting a woman. The individual, Cristóbal Riobardo Vasquez-Sanchez, was taken into custody on May 25 in Arlington, Virginia, on suspicion of inappropriately touching a victim, as reported by ABC7 News. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that the 25-year-old is in the country illegally.

The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) announced the arrest linked to an incident that reportedly occurred on May 22. According to initial investigations, the woman encountered the suspect in a parking lot stairwell where he allegedly initiated inappropriate contact.

The victim escaped and sought help from someone nearby, while Vasquez-Sanchez fled the scene. He is now facing charges for sexual assault and attempted sexual penetration with an object.

Reports indicate that Vasquez-Sanchez has a history of serious charges, including rape, sexual assault, and drug possession. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attributed his earlier release to a “sanctuary policy.” A recent ICE post noted that they had sought to detain him last April, but that policy led to him being released back into the community.

Currently, Vasquez-Sanchez is being held without bail at the Arlington County Detention Center. A further detainer has also been issued by ICE regarding him.

DHS voiced concerns about the governor’s policies, stating, “These criminals continue to be released onto Virginia’s streets, putting lives at risk.” This follows actions taken by Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger, who suspended ICE’s cooperation with state authorities earlier this year.

Court documents show that Vasquez-Sanchez’s next hearing is scheduled for July 9. The ACPD is encouraging anyone with more information or previous interactions with him to reach out.

At the time of this report, both ACPD and ICE had not responded to inquiries.