Cape Girardeau man charged with statutory rape after investigation involving runaway juvenile

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — A Cape Girardeau man has been charged with second-degree statutory rape following an investigation involving a runaway juvenile.

According to the Cape Girardeau Police Department, officers responded to the 1300 block of Broadway at about 6 p.m. May 31 after a runaway juvenile was located by family members. The juvenile was reportedly seen in a vehicle with a man later identified as Oliver Martinez-Garay, 43, of Cape Girardeau.

Police said the juvenile told officers she had run away from home and met Martinez-Garay near the river wall in downtown Cape Girardeau. The juvenile reported that after a conversation, Martinez-Garay invited her to his residence.

According to court documents, the juvenile told investigators that while at the residence, Martinez-Garay kissed her and later engaged in sexual intercourse with her.

Martinez-Garay was arrested and charged by the Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with second-degree statutory rape, a Class D felony.

He is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond.

An arrest or criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.