A suspect in a rape along the Northwest Branch Trail last week is in the country illegally after being deported following a conviction for a previous attack on a woman.
Joaquin Orellana Torres, 24, of Hyattsville, Md., was denied bond Monday. He is charged with first-degree rape and armed robbery.
"He had left the country prior and he doesn't have very strong roots in this community," said Ramon Korionoff of the state's attorney's office. "He's considered a flight risk."
The victim said she was running along the Northwest Branch Trail near Oakview Drive just after 4 p.m. May 5 when a stranger armed with a knife pulled her off the trail and sexually assaulted her.
Neighbors saw the woman appear out of the trail shortly after the assault, distraught and covered in mud.
Montgomery County police and Capitol Park Police identified Torres as a suspect Friday when they saw a man on the trail with a backpack that matched the description given by the victim, police. When they approached the man, they noticed he matched the suspect sketch and wore a beaded necklace that also matched the victim's description.
Park Police arrested Torres, who admitted to involvement in the assault during questioning by Montgomery County police, authorities said.
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In 2008, Torres was convicted of a sex offense and assault, News4's Kristin Wright reports. He served time and was deported to El Salvador.
