Armed guards at a federal building in Manhattan that houses ICE and FBI offices sexually assaulted a man seeking asylum protection last May, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Jimmy Solano Arias, 42, offered to help the man with his asylum process as part of a plea deal reached in Manhattan federal court, but instead he was sent to a locked second-floor apartment at 26 Federal Plaza. He admitted that he led the man to his office and demanded an oral argument. sex.
When the victim resisted, Solano-Arias reached for his holstered firearm, causing the victim to fear for his life, court documents state.
The victim immediately reported the sexual assault to law enforcement, and Solano Arias told FBI agents the next day that he “falsely claimed that the sex act was consensual when it was not.” Prosecutors said he lied and was arrested.
The Bronx resident, who is currently out on bail, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of making false statements to a federal law enforcement officer.
When Solano-Arias is sentenced in July, guidelines call for him to be sentenced to about five years in prison, but the final decision will be up to the judge.
He could have faced a significantly longer prison term if the case had gone to trial, but the plea deal allows for a conviction without the victim’s testimony.
Solano-Arias worked for a private security company guarding a government building across from the federal courthouse in downtown Manhattan.
The building houses offices for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District, which is currently prosecuting Solano Arias.
“Jimmy Solano-Arias abused the trust and privileges bestowed upon him as an armed security guard at a federal building,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement.
“Instead of protecting the safety of the numerous federal employees and visitors at 26 Federal Plaza, Solano-Arias used his position of authority to sexually abuse individuals seeking asylum protection in the United States. ” added the prosecutor.
