LANCASTER, PA — A York resident, Bryan Cuevas-Rios, 25, is set to be prosecuted in the Lancaster County Court on serious charges stemming from allegations of sexual assault against a child in 2016. The Manheim Township Police Department formally charged Cuevas-Rios on January 31, 2024, with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child and indecent assault of a person less than 13 years old.
The charges were advanced following a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, during which the now 12-year-old victim recounted her experiences living with Cuevas-Rios in 2016. According to her testimony before Magisterial District Judge Mary Sponaugle, Cuevas-Rios allegedly coerced her into a room and compelled her to engage in “inappropriate things.” The alleged assault came to light after the victim confided in her middle school counselor, leading to a police investigation.
Detective Kenneth Smith of the Manheim Township Police testified that he was alerted to the child abuse referral in August 2023. Through his investigation, Detective Smith pinpointed the date of the alleged abuse to January 25, 2016, when Cuevas-Rios was 17 and the victim was only 4 years old.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Lapp. The upcoming arraignment for Cuevas-Rios, scheduled for April 26, marks a critical junction in the legal process. Cuevas-Rios has been released after posting $50,000 bail.
Information, a criminal complaint, or an arrest is not a declaration of guilt. A suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.