BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
A court hearing this afternoon in Autauga County before Judge Jessica Sanders showed evidence that a Honduran man, in this country illegally, allegedly raped a young girl in the bathroom of a Prattville restaurant Saturday.
Grevi Geovani Rivera-Zavala, 29, is being held with no bond at the Autauga County Metro Jail on Charges of Strong Arm Rape 1st degree. His probable cause hearing was today under Aniah’s Law, where Chief Assistant District Attorney Mandy Johnson argued there is just cause to hold the suspect without bond.
Judge Sanders agreed and ordered the suspect to be taken back into custody and placed in jail until further court dates.
Per testimony from a Prattville investigator on the stand, police were called to the Poblano’s restaurant on Cobbs Ford Road Saturday in reference to a report of rape.
Testimony showed that the reported victim is a 16-year-old female who was dining with family members. She reportedly visited the restroom, but when she tried to leave the stall, she was pushed back by man she identified as Rivera-Zavala. Immediately after the alleged assault, she was able to exit the bathroom and told her family members what had happened.
A family member began looking for the suspect after calling police. Rivera-Zavala was seen coming back to the table where he was dining with several other people. He was reportedly attempting to leave with the group when officers arrived, and he was taken into custody after an identification by the victim.
District Attorney C.J. Robinson did not hold back in saying he will not negotiate with the federal government, and has no interest in dropping or reducing charges that would allow Rivera-Zavala to be deported back to Honduras. He wants him to face justice in the Alabama court system.
Rivera-Zavala reportedly entered this country illegally crossing the border at Eagle Pass in Texas.
“There will be no other discussion,” Robinson said. “The federal government is welcome to take possession of his body after he has served time for charges in the Alabama Department of Corrections.”
Judge Sanders told the suspect the only way to protect the citizens is to keep him in jail. “If you are convicted I hope the state is successful and you never get out of jail,” Sanders said.
When asked if he had any other criminal charges in this country, or out of this country, he said only an incident that involved domestic violence.
Sanders was able to communicate with the suspect through a Spanish Interpreter as the suspect does not speak English.
DA Robinson said he is thankful to the Poblano’s restaurant staff for their full cooperation in this matter, and for handing over all video evidence from cameras within the restaurant. He said evidence shows the victim entering a hallway towards the bathrooms, with the suspect following behind her a short time later. About six minutes later the victim can be seen exiting the hallway, her clothes disheveled and making her way back to her family. Shortly thereafter, the suspect was seen also leaving the hallway.
The victim told investigators she had noticed the suspect staring at her prior to the attack. When she first entered the restroom another woman was also in the area, but had left and she was alone.
The victim said that the suspect locked the door while the alleged rape occurred.
Prattville Chief Mark Thompson praised his investigators in this case, and said it will be a very strong evidence against the defendant when it goes to court.
Rivera-Zavala is being represented by attorney Christopher McKay as he was appointed by Judge Sanders.
