A man in the Detroit area faces life in prison after being charged with sexually assaulting a preteen, as disclosed by the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office. Joel Quintana-Dominguez, 32, is alleged to have sexually assaulted the minor multiple times in Shelby Township. He was arraigned on three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13, as reported by CBS News Detroit.
The magistrate has set a bond for Quintana-Dominguez at $500,000, committing to assure a high threshold for release pending trial. His probable cause conference is scheduled for Aug. 1, with a preliminary examination to follow on Aug. 8, according to The Detroit News. This arraignment gains further complexity by an immigration hold by the Department of Homeland Security, suggesting Quintana-Dominguez was in the United States illegally.
Shelby Township Police Department's efforts led to the arrest of Quintana-Dominguez, who was, as per the police, preparing to flee the country. This urgency in police action was emphasized by Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido, who extended gratitude to the police for their promptness in apprehending the suspect. "Thanks to the swift and decisive action of the Shelby Township Police Department for apprehending this defendant before he could evade justice," Lucido said in a statement retrieved by The Detroit News.
Amidst these proceedings, the defense attorney, Neal Brand, was quick to stress that his client maintains innocence and is looking to be exonerated. "At this point, my client maintains his innocence and believes as details further emerge that he will be exonerated of all charges. My client has a positive attitude at the moment but understands that this case will take a great deal of time," Brand stated in a remark cited by The Detroit News. The Shelby Township Police have also expressed concern over the potential for additional victims and are actively seeking further information from the public.
Quintana-Dominguez, who has been previously deported, evoked a strong reaction from Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide. "I am disgusted and sickened after hearing the details of this case on what Quintana-Dominguez is being charged with. I am also appalled to hear that he had been deported in the past and was able to find his way back into the United States," Shelide said in a statement according to FOX 2 Detroit. The police continue to work on leads and urge anyone with information about other possible victims to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
