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New Rochelle resident Joey Valencia was arrested on Thursday, Nov. 7 following an investigation into the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl, New Rochelle Police Captain J. Collins Coyne announced on Friday, Nov. 8.
According to Coyne, the investigation began after the victim was taken to a hospital while highly intoxicated and reported that she may have been sexually assaulted.
Investigators then confirmed that such a crime had happened and that the suspect, later identified as Valencia, had given the girl alcohol, Coyne said.
Detectives then posed as the victim and made successful contact with Valencia, reiterating the suspect's young age while communicating with him. He still maintained an interest in meeting up with the victim again, "further implicating himself in the criminal activity," according to Coyne.
Later in the evening on Thursday, detectives then arranged to meet with Valencia, who was taken into custody when he arrived.
After his arrest, Valencia was charged with:
- Second-degree rape;
- Second-degree attempted rape;
- Endangering the welfare of a child.
Detectives are now working to see if there were any more victims.
Valencia is now being held pending his arraignment.
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