On Wednesday, January 6th, a 25-year-old American student visiting Ambergris Caye visited the San Pedro Police Station to report an incident of Sexual Assault. The student, who was staying at a resort 3.5 miles north of San Pedro Town, stated that in the morning of that same day, while she and two other female friends were socializing at the poolside of the resort, a male security guard told her she was beautiful. The student went on to indicate that she smiled and thanked him for the compliment and then returned to her room to get some bug spray.
The student then indicated that the security guard followed her back to her room, but that she thought nothing of it, believing he was only escorting her to ensure her safety. At the room, the student said that she asked the security guard to wait at the door, but that he entered anyway. She became scared as the security guard grabbed a bottle of bug spray from her hand and started rubbing her legs up to her thighs. The student explained that only her ankles she told him had been bitten, and that she did not give permission for the security guard to touch her, as she told him that he did not need to do that, but he insisted.
The student then reported that the security guard grabbed her and kissed her on her mouth and that as she tried to get away, he grabbed her from behind and rubbed her stomach, trying to touch her breasts. She struggled with the security guard until she managed to get away and went back to her friends. The student indicated that even after that, the security guard still followed her and hung around the pool side area until she and her friends decided to go back to their room, locking the door behind them.
Following the report, police launched an investigation and obtained a warrant for the arrest of 34-year-old Wilbert Heredia, security guard. On Thursday, January 7th Heredia was officially arrested and charged for the crime of “Sexual Assault”.
