Nearly a year after authorities say he knocked a 64 year old Ottawa woman from her bicycle on the Prairie Spirit Rail Trail near Scipio and attempted to rape her, Porfirio Dela Cruz-Cantu will be tried on that charge in Anderson County District Court tomorrow, September 24th.
Anderson County Attorney Steve Wilson says he won’t negotiate any plea involving a reduction of the attempted rape charge. Should Cruz-Cantu be found innocent or otherwise be acquitted, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have a “HOLD” on him with the County Sheriff’s Department, which will take him immediately into custody for deportation.
The Probable Cause Affidavit, with statements from the victim, detail the October 10th, 2024 alleged attack in which the 64-year old bicyclist says Cruz Cantu was pedaling his bicycle north on the trail when he clothesline her as she headed south at a point south of Scipio. She said he pounced upon her on the ground in an attempt at rape and stuffed fallen leaves in her mouth as she tried to scream. She was able to kick herself away from him and down the gravel embankment where she regained her footing and ran to a nearby home for help.
