LOGAN — A 53-year-old Lewiston man already facing charges of child abuse has been arrested again for allegedly raping a young girl repeatedly two years ago, according to law enforcement. Jose Rafael Ramirez was booked Monday into the Cache County Jail after stating that he was not a criminal.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, Cache County Sheriff’s deputies began investigating Ramirez in Aug. 2024, following a child abuse complaint. Months later, the alleged victim claimed the suspect had both physically and sexually abused her multiple times.
The girl told deputies how the abuse started when Ramirez caught her calling family members in Mexico over social media. He allegedly became extremely upset and grabbed her phone, smashing it on the ground.
The abuse continued over the next several years. During several instances, Ramirez allegedly molested and raped her while she was in bed. During another time, he sexually assaulted her after drinking tequila and forcing her to drink also, according to charging documents.
Deputies questioned Ramirez, Dec. 1. During the interview he reportedly denied any wrong doing and deflected from the subject.
Ramirez made an initial appearance Wednesday in Logan’s 1st District Court. He was charged with three counts of rape, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, and one count of aggravated kidnapping, all first-degree felonies; three counts of aggravated child abuse and one count of forcible sexual abuse, all second-degree felonies.
Cache County Deputy Attorney Aaron Josie asked the court to hold Ramirez without bail due to the severity of the charges. He also noted how the Lewiston man is not a US citizen and in the country illegally.
Judge Brian Cannell ordered Ramirez to remain in jail and appear again in court Dec. 17.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.