Lake Worth man accused of sexually assaulting minor

A Lake Worth man has been arrested on charges of sexual battery after reportedly assaulting a victim under the age of 12, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff ’s Office report.

Rudy Cano-Vargas, a 30-year-old Guatemalan national, was arrested June 7. The alleged incidents occurred in June and October of 2015, according to deputies. In June 2015, the child was watching TV next to cousins and Cano-Vargas. When the minor’s aunt left to go to the store, Cano-Vargas began to touch the minor inappropriately.

The minor told Cano-Vargas to stop multiple times, but told investigators that Cano-Vargas may not have understood because he only speaks Spanish, according to deputies.

Cano-Vargas put a blanket over the two, then removed the minor’s shorts and assaulted the minor, according to the report.

A cousin told police they saw what happened but didn’t say anything because they thought they would get in trouble, according to the report. A cousin mentioned that Cano-Vargas had threatened the minor before, according to the report.

In October 2015, the minor awoke between 1 and 2 a.m. to Cano-Vargas naked and assaulting the minor, according to deputies. When the minor got up to leave, Cano-Vargas grabbed the child and said he would hurt the family if the minor told, police said.

Cano-Vargas denied having sexual contact with the minor, according to deputies.

He remains in jail.