A Mexican national accused of raping a young girl in Westchester County two decades ago before fleeing to his home country was finally hauled back to the Empire State last week.
Galo Herrera, 52, was picked up by Mexican authorities and shipped back to the US, where he was arraigned in Westchester County County Court Monday on multiple sex offenses involving the child, who was under the age of 13 at the time of the crime, according to the Westchester District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said the sicko forcibly raped the youngster between December 2006 and January 2007 – and took off after he was initially indicted in 2008.
“Justice has no expiration date,” District Attorney Susan Cacace said in a statement.
“The defendant’s horrendous conduct, as alleged in the indictment, is no less shocking nearly two decades later. I am grateful to our law enforcement partners in Mexico and the U.S. who brought Mr. Herrera to answer for these charges.”
Cacace, who helmed the county’s sex crimes court for 14 years before being elected as the area’s top prosecutor in November, applauded the multi-jurisdictional effort.
The fiend was booked at Westchester County Jail Saturday after extradition, jail records show.
It remains unclear when he was apprehended in Mexico.
Herrara is charged with predatory sexual assault against a child, two counts of first-degree rape, and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
He pleaded not guilty to his charges, prosecutors said.
The alleged rapist will be held in custody pending further proceedings.
If you have been sexually assaulted and live in New York, you can call 1-800-942-6906 for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the state, you can dial the 24/7 National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
