The Public Ministry of Guatemala (MP) through the Women’s Prosecutor’s Office in Baja Verapaz, secured a verdict from the sole judge of the Criminal Sentencing Court for Femicide and other forms of Violence against Women and Sexual Violence in that department, condemning Mario Reyes Santiago to 42 years and 8 months in prison for two cases of rape with aggravated penalties and special aggravating circumstances.

The prosecution team determined that the incidents occurred in July 2022 when Reyes Santiago was at his home in the San Juan neighborhood, municipality of Cubulco, involving a 6-year-old girl.

Compensation for moral and material damage was ordered, recognizing the victim as a direct victim and her mother as a collateral victim. Extension of security measures in favor of the victim was mandated, along with psychological therapy at the Children’s Shelter.

As a measure of non-repetition, the perpetrator must undergo psychological therapy at the designated correctional facility determined by the Penal Execution Judge.