A 28-year-old Mississippi man has been brought back to Marion County to face predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse charges.
A warrant for the arrest of Brayan Chavez-Castro was first issued in 2021, but he remained at large until being picked up by the Hernando, Mississippi Police Department on February 6th. After waiving extradition, Chavez-Castro was returned to the Marion County Jail via prisoner transport.
Chavez-Castro faces two Class X felony charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. He is accused of touching sexual organs of the same girl under the age of 13 in October and November 2020. If convicted, he faces a sentencing range of six to 60 years.
Chavez-Castro also faces two Class 2 felony charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in connection with the same two incidents.
Bond on the 2021 warrant was set at $250,000. During his first court appearance on Wednesday, it was noted no petition had been filed to consider Chavez-Castro’s release under the new pre-trial release law. The public defender was appointed to represent Chavez-Castro who is due back in court on March 5th for a preliminary hearing.
Central City Police handled the case in November 2020 after receiving an investigative report from DCFS. Chavez-Castro was allegedly staying with the mother of the then 12-year-old girl when the incidents allegedly occurred. Police say he had already left town by the time the incident was reported.