U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested an undocumented immigrant from Egypt on Friday, who stands accused of raping a 16-year-old girl in her sleep on New Year’s Eve in Tennessee.
Mena Mohsen Fares Nun Awad, 31, allegedly broke into an apartment in Nashville and began assaulting the girl while she slept next to her nephew, as reported by local news.
Awad reportedly found the girl in bed with a gun tucked into her waistband. After the assault, she managed to escape, telling her nephew she wouldn’t inform anyone if he let Awad leave.
Interestingly, DHS noted that Awad has a track record of violent incidents since arriving in the U.S. via the Diversity Visa Program in 2017. He has faced previous charges including domestic violence, intimidation, weapons possession, and vehicle theft.
Assistant Secretary of State Tricia McLaughlin expressed grave concerns over how immigration policies enabled Awad’s entry into the country, labeling him a “monster” and indicating that his admittance through the Diversity Lottery was a significant lapse. McLaughlin mentioned that Secretary Noem has suspended the lottery program to prevent future harms.
She also emphasized that detainees arrested by ICE will not be released to potentially victimize others.
After the incident, the victim contacted her sister, who subsequently informed the authorities. Awad was arrested in Louisville, Kentucky on January 16 and was extradited back to Tennessee a week later.
He faces multiple charges, including aggravated rape with a deadly weapon, as well as aggravated assault and robbery.
