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Sam Penrod Reporting A 20-year old Orem man is in jail after police say he had sex with a 12-year old girl. The suspect is now charged with rape.
The girl apparently told the man she was 18, but police say they have evidence that proves the suspect clearly knew she was only 12, yet he pursued a relationship with her anyway.
The suspect is 20-year old Cesar Zuniga of Orem. Police say he and the 12-year old girl met back in February at a bowling alley in Orem. The two talked in the parking lot, but police say the victim's sister told the suspect she was underage.
Lt. Doug Edwards, Orem Dept. Of Public Safety: "She went out in the parking lot and met with him, I guess was flattered by the attention this older man was giving her. He gave her a telephone number and they exchanged text messages until he finally asked her to meet him in a parking lot one evening."
That's when police say the crime occurred. Police say even if the girl consented to the relationship, it is still illegal.
Lt. Doug Edwards, Orem Dept. Of Public Safety: "The arrest was the culmination of a ten day investigation after the family had come to us with their concerns about her possible involvement with the suspect. And after conversations with the victim and the suspect the arrest was made."
Her family contacted police when they suspected something had happened. Zuniga was booked into the Utah County jail on charges of rape of a child and sexual abuse of a child. Investigators say he may be in the country illegally, so bail has so far been denied.
Zuniga will be in court on these charges next Friday.
