A violent home invasion and sexual assault in southeast Georgia has renewed concerns over public safety and immigration enforcement after authorities confirmed the suspect entered the United States illegally and now faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted.
The Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office announced that 26-year-old Kenneth Moreno Guzman was arrested Jan. 15 following a multi-day investigation into a Jan. 12 attack at Eagle Creek Mobile Home Park near Statesboro.
Investigators allege Guzman forced his way into a mobile home shortly after midnight and assaulted two children inside the residence.
According to sheriff’s officials, the victims were sisters, ages 11 and 10, who were asleep in their shared bedroom when the suspect allegedly broke through the back door.
Authorities say Guzman threatened both girls with a knife and sexually assaulted the older child before fleeing the scene.
The younger sister was not sexually assaulted but was reportedly held at knifepoint during the incident, The Statesboro Herald reported.
After the suspect fled the home, the girls ran to the other end of the residence and reported the attack to their mother and stepfather, who immediately contacted law enforcement.
Deputies responded shortly after midnight and began gathering evidence while attempting to identify the suspect.
Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Todd Hutchens said investigators believe the suspect targeted the family after previously seeing the older child in the neighborhood.
During a press briefing, Hutchens described the alleged motive as deeply troubling, stating investigators believe Guzman claimed he was attracted to the child.
Authorities emphasized that the family did not know Guzman personally, despite living nearby.
Hutchens said there was no known relationship between the suspect and the victims prior to the attack, noting the family had only seen him in the area before.
Guzman now faces 10 felony charges encompassing 20 total counts, including rape, statutory rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, first-degree cruelty to children, first-degree home invasion, burglary, false imprisonment, two counts of aggravated assault with a knife and 10 counts of possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, according to All On Georgia.
Investigators said the weapon-related charges correspond to each alleged violent offense.
Under Georgia law, several of the charges carry potential sentences ranging from decades in prison to life, particularly those involving rape and aggravated sodomy.
Sheriff’s officials said Guzman is being held without bond as the case moves toward a grand jury presentation.
Law enforcement officials said Guzman was taken into custody during a traffic stop after investigators identified both him and the vehicle he was driving.
Deputies also discovered an outstanding failure-to-appear warrant tied to prior misdemeanor traffic offenses. He was arrested without incident and later interviewed at the jail with the assistance of a Spanish-speaking deputy.
Federal immigration authorities became involved following the arrest.
According to the sheriff’s office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents determined Guzman entered the country illegally from Mexico approximately five years ago.
ICE has since issued a detainer requiring notification before any potential release from local custody, WSAV reported.
“He will not be released from Bulloch County custody under any circumstances until the case is disposed of in court,” Hutchens said, adding that Guzman is expected to remain jailed through trial proceedings before any transfer to the prison system or federal custody.
Sheriff’s officials said the case is expected to be presented to a Bulloch County grand jury and encouraged anyone with additional information to contact Investigator Kodi Wallis.
“Now that this individual is in jail, we know he will not be able to victimize anyone else right now—and hopefully not ever again,” Hutchens said.
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