STURGIS, Mich. — The 25-year-old man accused of making his way into a home and sexually assaulting two young girls in March appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
Miguel Hernandez-Ruiz was arraigned on two charges of criminal sexual conduct with a person under the age of 13 and a home invasion charge. The prosecutor requested no bond, and the judge granted that request.
His preliminary hearing has been extended to a second day for more testimony, but the date has not been set yet.
The St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office said the home invasion happened on March 20 at Sweet Lake Mobile Home Park.
That's where they found two girls under the age of 13 who had been assaulted.
Following a 12-day-long investigation, authorities determined the suspect to be Hernandez-Ruiz.
The St. Joseph County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said Hernandez-Ruiz is a citizen of Mexico and is living in the U.S. illegally.
Authorities said Hernandez-Ruiz remained in the U.S. illegally after his temporary work visa expired.
"My deepest concern is for the victims," Bingaman said. "It's our intention for crime victims to seek justice and assure the community that they are safe and secure."
According to a probable cause affidavit, the two young girls told detectives the suspect told them he wasn't trying to hurt them, and that if they screamed, he would kill them.
Detectives used video surveillance footage to track down the suspect's vehicle and the owner.
Authorities said the suspect went to Fort Wayne, Indiana where he was later taken into custody thanks to a multi-agency effort.
Hernandez-Ruiz is also being held on an immigration detainer.
A detainer is a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement request to local law enforcement to notify ICE before a removable non-citizen is released from custody. Oftentimes local law enforcement will continue to keep custody of a person so ICE can later take them into custody.
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