Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 26-year-old Jesus D. Guzman-Bermudez of Venezuela was arraigned this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Amy C. Martoche on an indictment charging him with two counts of Rape in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felonies), two counts of Rape in the Third Degree (Class “E” felonies) and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class “A” misdemeanor).
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 down by her arms during the commission of the rape. It is further alleged that the same night, the defendant again forcibly engaged in sexual intercourse with the same victim by holding her head down. Both of the alleged crimes occurred inside of a hotel room on the 4200 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 was initially arraigned in Cheektowaga Town Court and held without bail.
Guzman-Bermudez is scheduled to return on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. for a pre-trial conference before State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges. He continues to be held without bail. A temporary order of protection, issued on behalf of the victim and the child, remains in effect.
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.
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