A man accused of raping a 14-year-old girl denies that the alleged victim is his relative.
Speaking through an interpreter in Floyd Circuit Court, Jenrry Yovany Zavala, 19, claimed the girl in question is actually his girlfriend, but a family member says otherwise.
According to a probable-cause affidavit, the victim is Zavala’s relative and shares the same last name. Zavala told Judge J. Terrence Cody that he can provide a birth certificate proving that the girl has a different last name. He made no mention of the girl’s age.
“These are things that when he gets an attorney, he will need to discuss with his attorney,” Cody said to the interpreter.
Zavala has been charged with rape, a class B felony, criminal confinement, a class D felony, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a class A misdemeanor. He faces six to 20 years in prison if convicted of rape and six months to three years if convicted of criminal confinement.
Jony Zavala, the suspect’s brother, said he has legal custody of the victim. He reportedly called police when she went missing and led them to where his brother was staying near East 18th Street in New Albany.
Jony claims that when he went looking for the girl, a man told him that Jenrry had been trying to “sell” her as a prostitute.
Jony claims his brother had broken into his home in Hanover several times and stolen jewelry. According to the affidavit, the alleged victim said that Jenrry kidnapped her, forced her to have sex with him multiple times and threatened to kill her. Police found her hiding in a closet.
Jenrry told the judge that he had been working on his brother’s farm and gave him all of his earnings.
Jony said he had a restraining order against his brother and had not seen him in a year.
According to Jony, Jenrry has been arrested multiple times in different counties, but because he looks younger than 18 and does not have any identification, he is able to get away with it.
Jenrry said in court that he lives in Hanover. The Hanover Police Department did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
Jenrry also admitted to the judge that he does not have a permit to work in the United States.
The Zavalas are originally from Honduras. Jony said he has been living in the United States for 15 years and is a legal resident. He said that he does not have a problem with people living in the country illegally, but only if they obey the laws. It has been hard for him to testify against his brother.
“It has been very painful for my family, especially my mom,” Jony said. “But if he has the guts to kidnap a 14-year-old girl, what else could he do?”
Jenrry is being held in the Floyd County Jail on $150,000 bail. He will have to pay $15,000 in cash to be released. Judge Cody issued a no-contact order with the alleged victim.
He is scheduled to be back in court Aug. 19.
Floyd County
Related Photos
Discussion
Illegal alien denies raping 14-year-old relative
Suspect’s brother claims he tried to ‘sell’ girl
- Floyd County
-
-
First Savings buys bank branches
The move will increase First Savings’ market share in Harrison County to about 31 percent and up the bank’s presence in Floyd County.
-
Free falling: CCE demolishes former New Albany business at no charge
-
Floyd judge named semifinalist for Indiana Supreme Court
Granger, 42, said she decided to apply after discussions with her family and close friends.
“I care enormously about my judicial service, and I want to expand my work statewide,” she said. -
Indiana granted No Child Left Behind waiver
As the deadline approaches, more schools are failing to meet requirements under the law, with nearly half not doing so last year, according to the Center on Education Policy.
- News and Tribune briefs for Feb. 9, 2012
-
Neace Lukens acquires Jenkins Insurance of Sellersburg
Jenkins Insurance principal Mike Jenkins will join the Neace Lukens’ New Albany office, where he’ll focus on his current employee benefit clients and expanding service and product platforms for the company.
-
Some lawmakers want you to cruise in for Sunday commerce
The current ban on motorcycle sales is a remnant of Indiana’s old “blue laws” that prohibited various activities on Sundays. The legislature has been slowly chipping away at them.
-
Court of appeals hears Messer appeal
Counseled by attorney Bart Betteau, the basis of Messer’s appeal was that his words were constitutionally-protected free speech. But Special Judge Roger Duvall upheld the merit commission’s decision in 2011.
-
Checkered past: Cab company’s permit suspended in New Albany after employee arrests
“We’re not an evil company,” White said after the meeting.
-
Utility vows to bring projects to council
Stormwater officials shared letters with the council from residents in the Castlewood neighborhood who credited the basin addition for easing flooding in the area.
- More Floyd County Headlines
-
First Savings buys bank branches
