Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 26-year-old Jesus D. Guzman-Bermudez of Venezuela was arraigned late Friday morning before Cheektowaga Town Court Justice David M. Stevens on one count of Rape in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony), one count of Unlawful Imprisonment in the Second Degree, one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class “A” misdemeanors) and one count of Harassment in the Second Degree (violation).
It is alleged that on or about the evening of Wednesday, August 2, 2023, the defendant forcibly engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim. The defendant is accused of restraining the victim by holding the victim’s head down during the commission of the rape. The alleged crime occurred inside of a hotel room on the 4000 block of Genesee Street in the Town of Cheektowaga in the presence of a 3-year-old child. The victim was known to the defendant.
Guzman-Bermudez is scheduled to return on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. He was held without bail. A temporary order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim.
If convicted of the highest charge, Guzman-Bermudez faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.
DA Flynn commends the Cheektowaga Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rachel M. Vicario of the Special Victims/Domestic Violence Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
