According to NBC affiliate WTVJ, a Miami Instacart driver was arrested Wednesday after being accused of raping a 15-year-old girl in his car outside of a Publix where she worked.
On Nov. 4, Victor Manuel Fernandez, 36, reportedly forced the youngster to have sex with him in his car in the parking lot.
According to police, the girl got into Fernandez’s car after her shift finished to “talk.” That’s when he kissed her without her permission. According to the police report, Fernandez then drove to another part of the parking lot and forced her into a sexual encounter.
Fernandez refused bond and was incarcerated until his trial.
When questioned by authorities, Fernandez stated that the youngster had freely entered his car and asked him to transfer the car to another spot in the parking lot, according to the report.
According to the study, Fernandez gave another remark, but it was redacted.
Fernandez’s counsel asked the judge to set a bond at his court appearance on Wednesday, claiming that he had no criminal record.
Fernandez was ordered jailed without bond, advised to keep a safe distance from the victim, and was assigned a public defender.
“We are outraged by this act of violence, and our hearts go out to the survivor during this trying time.” “We have suspended this shopper from our platform, and we will fully cooperate with law enforcement in their investigation,” an Instacart spokeswoman said in a statement.
In a separate statement, a Publix spokesman stated that they do not comment on ongoing investigations.
Fernandez is charged with three felonies, including sexual battery, child molestation, and lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor, according to arrest records.
WTVJ reports that Instacart is investigating the incident. WTVJ said that Publix does not comment on ongoing investigations.