Undocumented man accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County, Fla. – An undocumented man appeared before a Palm Beach County judge Sunday morning in connection with the sexual assault of a teenage girl that occurred earlier this month.

Detectives say a 13-year-old girl was sexually assaulted on Jan. 2 near Okeeheelee Park in Palm Beach County. At the time, the suspect was described as a Hispanic man in his 30s to 40s who did not speak English.

According to police, DNA technology was used to confirm the suspect’s identity as Santo Martinez Varela.

Martinez Varela was arrested on January 11 and charged with kidnapping and sexual assault and is being held without bond.

During the investigation, detectives determined that Martinez Varela, who is from Honduras, illegally entered the United States in 2023 through the border with Mexico.