Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
A Honduran suspect who slipped into the country undetected in 2023 has been arrested for sexually assaulting and kidnapping a 13-year-old girl in Florida, and authorities believe he may have targeted more victims.
The horrifying attack unfolded on Jan. 2 in West Palm Beach, roughly 10 miles from Donald Trump’s residence at Mar-a-Lago.
(TJV) Investigators say the young victim was approached near Okeeheelee Park by a non-English speaking male in his 30s who proceeded to sexually assault her.
The victim tried to fight off her assailant for approximately 30 minutes as he attempted to tie her up, authorities say.
On Jan. 11, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) announced the apprehension of 35-year-old Santo Omar Martinez Varela.
“An immediate DNA warrant confirmed his identity, and he was booked into PBC Jail. Through the investigation, we discovered that Martinez Varela crossed the border illegally from Honduras in 2023 and traveled to West Palm Beach without any contact with law enforcement,” PBSO explained in a statement.
UPDATE: Our investigation into Santo Martinez Varela is ongoing, and detectives now believe there may be additional victims. If you recognize him or had any encounters with him, this is your chance to get the justice you deserve. We’re committed to ensuring every victim’s voice… https://t.co/EU8V0nHdXR
— PBSO (@PBCountySheriff) January 13, 2025
Authorities believe Martinez Varela may have targeted other victims in recent weeks, including another teen he was detained for allegedly stalking just days after the sexual assault – and in the same vicinity.
“Deputies arrested Martinez Varela on Jan. 7 after receiving a call from a 16-year-old who was walking and said she was being followed by a white van for about 15 minutes while she walked near Forest Hill Boulevard. They pulled the driver over and found Varela behind the wheel, booking him on a charge of driving without a license,” WPTV reports.
BREAKING UPDATE: Joe Biden illegal alien arrested for kidnapping and raping a 13-year-old girl in Florida is HELD WITHOUT BOND.
PRISON JUSTICE. pic.twitter.com/ZBeP6ZsOa6
— Dapper Detective (@Dapper_Det) January 13, 2025
Martinez Varela has also been charged in an attempted armed robbery in West Palm Beach on Dec. 26.
Detectives believe the Honduran ambushed a 29-year-old woman and demanded her purse at gunpoint.
After a brief struggle, the suspect fled the scene.
Martinez Varela has been charged with kidnapping during the commission of a felony and robbery with a firearm in that case.


The Democrat party and its government have inflicted this terrible situation on the American people. Virtually all the news media has supported it. Virtually every Democrat national and state politician must be replaced with civilized representatives. Meanwhile, the vast majority of Americans must be roused to demand the mass expulsion of all illegal aliens, and of course, all Muslims who are not entitled to legally remain in the country.