Hunter
06/07/23
A North Liberty man who was a teenager nearly six years ago has been charged with the sexual abuse of a ten-year-old.
According to investigator reports, Wilmer Garcia Espinal, who is now 22 years old, was 16 at the time of the incident in July 2017. He allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim, who was 10 years old, at a residence in Iowa City. The victim provided a detailed account of the incident, as well as other incidents of abuse by Garcia Espinal, at the Child Protection Center in Hiawatha. She also told authorities that he messaged her and asked her to be his girlfriend.
Garcia Espinal corroborated the girl’s account on the messages, but during the interview he claimed the context was different. He claimed to never being with the victim at the location of the alleged assault, and had only been there one time in passing. However, photo evidence reportedly exists showing him with the girl the night of the assault. Metadata from the girl’s phone also shows a picture was taken of Garcia Espinal at the residence where the assault occurred.
Authorities issued an arrest warrant on Tuesday, and Garcia Espinal was taken to the Johnson County Jail last night. He’s been charged with 3rd degree Sexual Abuse, and could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison if convicted.