Decatur police: Man confesses to rape of juvenile, held under Aniah's Law
Apr. 4—A Decatur man was charged Friday with first-degree rape and is being held without bond pending an Aniah's Law hearing which has yet to be set, according to a police affidavit and court records.
The affidavit said on Jan. 25, 2021, a worker from the Department of Human Resources told the Decatur Police Department that a child reported Pascual Francisco Jimenez, 38, had raped them when they were under the age of 12.
"Francisco was interviewed Post Adult Miranda, where he confessed to the rape," the affidavit said.
Under Aniah's Law, suspects charged with certain violent crimes — including first-degree rape — can be held without bond after a hearing to determine if they are a flight risk or a danger to the public. The state law, named after slain college student Aniah Blanchard, was approved in 2022 and expanded the list of offenses appropriate for pretrial detention without bail.
— wesley.tomlinson@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442.
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