Man charged with first “stranger rape” in Virginia in more than 12 years

Denis Humberto Navarette Romero and the Virginia Trail

A Honduran man faces rape charges after allegedly assaulting a woman on a popular hiking trail in Honduras VirginiaUS. Police said this was the first rape of a stranger in the city in over a decade.
Denis Humberto Navarette Romero31 years old, was arrested and charged with intent to desecrate and rape. According to a New York Post report citing police, the victim, who did not know Romero, was attacked on the busy Washington and Old Dominion Trail when he allegedly grabbed her by the arm, forced her to the ground and attacked her.
Herndon Police Chief Maggie DeBoard said at a press conference, as quoted by the New York Post: “This is the only stranger rape we have experienced in this city in my 12-plus years as police chief.”
Before his arrest on rape charges, Romero, who is from the Central American country of Honduras, was released from prison on November 14 after serving half of a 50-day sentence for indecent exposure.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin criticized the release of Romero, who is in the US illegally. He told The Post: “I feel sorry for this victim and I am outraged that local Fairfax County officials recklessly released violent illegal immigrants who should have been prosecuted and deported.”
Youngkin added: “This is a dereliction of their most basic duty to keep people safe. Putting violent illegal immigrants ahead of the safety of Fairfax residents is unacceptable,” emphasizing that Virginia is not a sanctuary state.