Man arrested for sexual assault on Rail Trail in Monongalia County

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WDTV) – A Guatemalan man wanted in Monongalia County on sexual assault charges was arrested in Pennsylvania, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Antonio Gabriel Mendez, also known as Emilio Pascual Guzman, 32, was arrested at a restaurant in St. Claire, Pennsylvania, around 3 p.m. Monday.

Mendez was wanted by the West Virginia State Police for first-degree sexual assault following an incident on September 20, 2022. Authorities said he sexually assaulted a female victim on the Caperton Rail Trail near Star City, and a warrant was obtained for Mendez's arrest on March 3, 2023.

Mendez was arrested without incident, but after his arrest he attempted to present false identification documents, authorities said.

“This case demonstrates tremendous coordination between law enforcement agencies,” said Terry Moore, acting U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia. “State police were able to quickly identify the suspect in this case and, after learning he had fled the area, asked us for help in locating him. The swift actions of our U.S. Marshal colleagues in the Middle District of Pennsylvania resulted in a quick and safe arrest.”

Mendez will appear for his initial hearing in Pennsylvania. If arrested, he will be extradited to West Virginia to face trial, authorities said.

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