Two men have been arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including the repeated rape of a 12-year-old girl, who was allegedly kept in horrific conditions. The suspects, identified as Felix Bustillo Diaz, 49, an immigrant from Honduras, and Jose Gerber-Rivera, 45, a national from El Salvador, are accused of sexually assaulting Bustillo’s grandniece. The girl was smuggled into the United States in 2014 by her mother and left in Bustillo’s care.
Bustillo was granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) by the Biden administration in 2024, despite a prior criminal conviction. This status has since been revoked. The investigation reveals that the young girl managed to escape once, aided by Brenda Garcia, 38, and Tania Garcia, 37, who purported to be rescuing her. Instead, they allegedly zip-tied, beat, and tortured the girl, forcing her to perform labor for them.
Both women were arrested on October 3, 2023, facing charges of felony injury to a child, unlawful restraint, and invasive visual recording. Following the investigation, Bustillo, who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for immigration violations, was transferred to the custody of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Rivera was also taken into custody on November 4, 2023, with assistance from the Montgomery County Constables Office in Woodlands, Texas.
The investigation has drawn significant attention from law enforcement officials. Chad Plantz, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston, stated, “The conduct uncovered in this investigation was both disturbing and inexcusable.” He emphasized the commitment of HSI agents to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
Montgomery County Sheriff Wesley Doolittle expressed deep concern regarding the situation, stating, “The details of this investigation are deeply disturbing and represent some of the most evil criminal behavior in our society.” He confirmed that while the child is now safe, the work of law enforcement is ongoing to uncover all details of the case and ensure justice is served.
The case highlights critical issues surrounding the safety of minors and the vulnerabilities faced by undocumented immigrants in the United States. Authorities continue to work diligently to provide justice for the victims and prevent similar crimes in the future.
