Man charged with rape

One man is now in custody after a month-long investigation by the Red Bay Police Department yielded enough information for an arrest.

Francisco Mejia, 21, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was arrested Monday by investigators with the RBPD and charged with first-degree rape.

According to officials, the defendant and the victim of the crime were neighbors at the Village Green apartment complex in Red Bay. The victim was sitting outside when the defendant approached her and began to make small talk.

After several minutes, the defendant asked the victim for a drink of water. When the victim entered her apartment to get him a drink, the defendant entered the residence without the victim’s knowledge and forced himself on her, officials said.

Mejia has been transported to the Franklin County Jail with a bond of $20,000.

However, Mejia will remain in custody on a hold from Immigration and Customs Enforcement