Raul Jesus Mendoza - Repeat Sex Offender Started Young

In the most recent case, Mendoza is accused of "luring or talking" the 12-year-old girl into coming inside his apartment. Police said he fondled her and then raped her.

A registered sex offender living in the 700 block of 37th Avenue was arrested Sunday for suspicion of raping a 12-year-old girl.

The assault is believed to have occurred last Friday, but the girl didn't tell her parents until Sunday night, and they called Greeley police. Raul Jesus Mendoza, 19, was arrested a short time later and charged with sexual assault on a child. He is being held without bond.

Greeley police spokesman Sgt. Joe Tymkowych said Monday that Mendoza is a registered sex offender because of previous crimes. He also is on an ICE hold, which means Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are looking into his past to determine if he is an illegal alien.

While Mendoza is a registered sex offender, his name doesn't appear on local police lists. Tymkowych said that's because Mendoza was convicted of the previous sex assault when he was a juvenile. According to state law, if a juvenile is convicted of one sexual assault, he or she will become a registered sex offender, but the name won't be available through the public Web sites. If convicted of two felony sexual assaults, the state will allow a juvenile's address to appear on Web sites.

In the most recent case, Mendoza is accused of "luring or talking" the 12-year-old girl into coming inside his apartment. Police said he fondled her and then raped her.

The girl will not be identified because she is a victim of sexual assault. No photo is available of Mendoza at this time because police are continuing the investigation.

Adults convicted of a felony sexual offense or of more than one misdemeanor sexual offense are required by the courts to register as a sex offender. They must register their address with the local police or sheriff's office and then notify them each time they change their address.

"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"

.........Sarah Tofte