MONROE — Police have arrested two sex offenders, including a 26-year-old Darlington man, who was taken into custody Friday because authorities suspect he sexually assaulted a 12-year-old.
Darlington Police Chief Jason King, according to published reports, said they arrested Jose Argenis Hernandez-Hernandez at 4 p.m. last Friday for several sex-related crimes.
The charges reportedly include first-degree sexual assault of a child, use of a computer to facilitate a sex crime, child enticement and causing a child to view sexual activity. Darlington police reportedly said their case was built largely around two interactions Hernandez allegedly had with the child victim in recent months.
It is unclear when Hernandez-Hernandez will appear in court on the new charge, and he was still being held without bond as of late Monday, according to a Lafayette County Jail official.
In another case involving a teen victim — though not necessarily related to the Hernandez-Hernandez case — police made two arrests.
Police reported that officers took into custody Jose Noel Lopez-Ortiz, 30, last Thursday, March 30 for second-degree sexual assault of a child. According to multiple public reports citing King, Lopez-Ortiz “allegedly had sexual contact” with a 14-year-old girl.
Attempts to reach King for additional comment on both investigations were unsuccessful Monday.
Hernandez-Hernandez most recent prior arrest was on a fourth operating while under the influence charge in 2018 but that felony charge was dropped when he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving while revoked instead.
Lopez-Ortiz is scheduled for an appearance on April 14 in Lafayette County Circuit Court. He was released on $5,0000 cash bond pending that appearance, records indicate. What’s more, he was ordered by Circuit Judge Duane Jorgenson not to consume alcohol and to have no contact with the victim or anyone under 18.
Meanwhile, reports say Lopez-Ortiz’s apparent roommate, identified as 19-year-old Brayan Armando Borjas-Velasquez, also was arrested for misdemeanor obstructing justice for alleged involvement in the Darlington department’s investigation.