An illegal alien has been arrested and charged in the rape of a 9-year-old girl in Florida this week, authorities say.
On Friday, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) announced the apprehension of Yobanny Barahona, 24, following a 16-hour manhunt.
Barahona is suspected of committing horrific sex crimes against the child on a least two occasions, most recently on Feb. 20.
The suspect was home alone with the victim when he forced himself upon her, but was caught in the act by another person and fled the scene, according to PCSO.
HELP SOLVE A CRIME: Pasco Sheriff's deputies are attempting to locate Yobany “Jose” Barahona for information regarding an active felony investigation. Barahona, a 24-year-old Hispanic male, is 5’6” around 140 lbs., and was last seen wearing a white hoodie, gray sweatpants and… pic.twitter.com/leM13BBWEt
— Pasco Sheriff (@PascoSheriff) February 21, 2025
“I’m not afraid to say it was a manhunt. There is no political correctness,” Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco stated during a press conference. “We hunted his ass down, and that’s what we will do for suspects such as this.”
“The suspect admitted to law enforcement that he committed the acts, and he actually committed a previous act on this 9-year-old girl.”
Barahona also confessed that he knows he is in the U.S. illegally, Sheriff Nocco said.
BREAKING: ILLEGAL ALIEN (24-year-old Yobanny Barahona) ARRESTED for RAPE of a 9-year-old girl after 16 hour manhunt in Florida.
— Dapper Detective (@Dapper_Det) February 22, 2025
Pasco Sheriff: “We hunted his ass down!” pic.twitter.com/QF6CpBiHZs
Barahona has been charged with two counts of Capital Sexual Battery and also a third-degree felony for illegal re-entry by an adult alien under a new Florida statute, Nocco explained.
His citizenship and possible deportation history remain unclear.
Authorities continue to catch dangerous foreign criminals in the U.S.