Asylum seeker allegedly raped woman in front of child in NY

A Venezuelan man seeking asylum in the US has been accused of raping a woman in front of a 3-year-old child in an upstate hotel room last week, officials said.

Prosecutors say Jesus Guzman-Bermudez, 26, and the victim knew each other and were staying in a hotel in Cheektowaga along with 500 other migrants who were recently bussed from New York City up to Erie County.

Guzman-Bermudez was arrested and charged with rape, unlawful imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child — since the alleged rape took place in front of a 3-year-old child who was in the hotel room, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn told WBEN.

“The caseworker reported it up through his or her chain of command. Ultimately, we ended up getting Cheektowaga Police involved, and started an investigation,” Flynn told thet outlet.

Flynn said the victim and Guzman-Bermudez knew each other, though their relationship remains unclear.

“Not sure if they’re married or not, but they’re definitely some type of couple,” Flynn said.

“It wasn’t like an incident where this individual went out in town, grabbed some victim and took them back to the hotel room. That’s not the case here. They clearly knew one another,” he added.

The alleged incident took place last Wednesday inside a hotel on Genesee Street in Cheektowaga, a suburb of Buffalo.

Guzman-Bermudez is currently being held without bail. He is scheduled to return to court Wednesday for a felony hearing.

A temporary order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim.

If convicted of the highest charge, Guzman Bermudez faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.