‘One-legged’ man accused of 3 child sex crimes is arrested in North Carolina
A “one-legged” man accused of multiple child sex crimes has been arrested in North Carolina.
Juan Jose Bernal-Ramirez, 62, is charged with “first-degree statutory sex offense and two counts of indecent liberties with a minor,” the Asheville Police Department wrote in a Dec. 11 news release. Officers didn’t list attorney information for him.
The allegations date back to 2016, when police investigated a sexual assault case that went cold. Then new evidence emerged, prompting the department to take a fresh look, according to officers.
“The Asheville Police Department commends the brave survivor who came forward, enabling investigators to revisit and ultimately resolve this case,” officers wrote.
Bernal-Ramirez is accused of sex crimes against three minors, police told McClatchy News in an email. One of the alleged crimes, statutory sex offense, involves a victim under age 13, according to state law.
As officers sought Bernal-Ramirez, they described him as a “one-legged man who appears to walk normally with the use of a prosthesis.”
The 62-year-old, who lives in Asheville, was arrested late Dec. 11. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 12, according to Buncombe County jail records.
