By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today
A California man is facing multiple charges after being accused of raping a 14-year-old runaway.
Luis A. Lopez, 31, was arrested on two first-degree felonies for rape and forcible sodomy, along with several misdemeanor charges, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
According to court documents, the incident began when the minor who had run away from a group home located in Parowan, met Lopez in the parking lot of a Cedar City Wal-Mart. She reportedly approached him to ask to use his phone.
While the victim told the suspect her age, Lopez allegedly invited her to stay in his motorhome, which was parked nearby.
“She then told him that she was 14, to which he responded with ‘oh you’re just a baby,’” the affidavit states.
Lopez reportedly gave the minor alcoholic drinks, a vape suspected to contain nicotine and a tan waxy substance he told her was marijuana.
The victim allegedly told police she and Lopez had engaged in sexual behavior but said “at one point, she told him ‘no’ and tried to push him off but he continued anyway.”
A subsequent medical examination provided police enough forensic evidence to secure a warrant for Lopez’ DNA to compare it with.
Lopez was interviewed by authorities and reportedly invoked his Miranda rights, declining to answer questions.
In the affidavit, the responding officer highlighted concerns about Lopez’s ties to California, where he continues to hold a driver’s license. It also notes that the suspect was living in a motorhome with California plates at the time of the incident.
“Luis has ties to California, including a California driver’s license and is currently living in Cedar City in a motorhome with California license plates. If he is released on bail, it is very likely he will flee,” the affidavit states.
Lopez remains in custody at the Iron County Jail.