A man indicted in Bulloch County on charges involving sexual acts and a minor is now in the custody of Immigration of Customs Enforcement.
31-year-old Jose Manuel Valdez-Lopez of Bethel Church Road was arrested in August 2024 on charges of Aggravated Child Molestation for an incident that allegedly occurred with a five-year-old female. Warrants indicate the offense happened three days prior in Statesboro.
He was booked into Bulloch County Jail and initially held without bond. Court notes indicate that the ‘first appearance’ hearing was incomplete ‘due to unable to communicate with the judge or staff at this time.’ Shortly thereafter, an immigration detainer was placed on Valdez-Lopez.
The case was presented to grand jury in October 2024, a True Bill of Indictment was returned, and Valdez-Lopez retained an attorney.
In December 2024, a bond was set in the amount of $15,000. Valdez-Lopez was ordered to wear an ankle monitor and was prohibited from contacting the victim or her family, from possessing guns and/or ammunition, and from consuming drugs or alcohol. He was also ordered to remain at home ‘unless working, meeting with counsel, or going to court.’
Because of the immigration detainer, the bond was largely a formality that triggered the immigration process.
The law requires individuals with an ICE hold or those whose immigration status cannot be confirmed to be held for 48-hours before being released from jail after they post bond. During this time, the local law enforcement agency contacts ICE and ICE indicates whether or not they will take custody of the individual.
Jail records indicate that a cash bond was posted on December 11 for Valdez-Lopez. The 48-hour period began and ICE did, in fact, take custody of Valdez-Lopez the next day.
The criminal case was placed on the calendar for March 20 and subsequently Dead Docketed, meaning no further action will take place, unless, for some reason, Valdez-Lopez returns to Bulloch County.
