Mexican citizen charged for alleged home invasion, sexual assault of two young girls
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Mich. — A 25-year-old Mexican citizen accused of breaking into a Michigan mobile home and sexually assaulting two young girls has been charged.
Miguel Hernandez-Ruiz was arraigned in court Friday on three charges related to the March 20 incident: two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of first-degree home invasion.
A judge denied bond.
St. Joseph County prosecutor David Marvin called Hernandez-Ruiz a danger to society and a flight risk.
“This is so serious that we’ve got to make sure we protect St. Joseph County, and honestly any county in the United States because we can’t afford to have this person leave," Marvin said during Hernandez-Ruiz's arraignment.
Hernandez-Ruiz allegedly broke into a home at Sweet Mobile Home Park and sexually assaulted two young girls, under the age of 13 years old, according to the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies located Hernandez-Ruiz and his vehicle through video surveillance at an undisclosed location, but when they were awaiting to take him into custody for questioning, he fled the area, the sheriff's office reported.
They eventually traced him back to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where they set up a surveillance operation to ensure he cannot flee again.
According to St. Joseph County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman, their pursuit of Hernandez-Ruiz lasted 12 days.
He was then arrested and held on an immigration detainer.
Hernandez-Ruiz entered the United States in 2021 on a temporary work Visa.
However, Bingaman said he continued to live in the Sturgis area after his Visa expired.
In a press conference Friday afternoon, Bingaman offered condolences to the victims, saying they will work in the best interest of them.
“It’s our intention for crime victims to see justice and to reassure our community that they’re safe and that they’re secure," Bingaman said.