The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Local News

July 10, 2009

<img src=" http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/courts.gif " border=0> Statutory rape charge dismissed

A Jasper County Judge dismissed a charge of second-degree statutory rape against a 21 year-old illegal alien living in Carthage after the victim refused to testify.

Roger Deleon-Ramos is still in custody on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer, according to court documents. Judge Richard Copeland in Associate Division of Jasper County Circuit Court dismissed the charges against Deleon-Ramos after the 15 year-old alleged victim refused to testify at a preliminary hearing on Thursday.

A probable cause statement filed on April 24 stated that the victim told police she had sexual intercourse with the suspect on seven occasions from December of 2008 to April of 2009, and that she was 11 weeks pregnant with the suspect’s child at that time.

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