Man accused in rape, attempted murder of girl, 5
Published: July 6, 2009
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Police lead Felix Montoya, 40, of Taylor, to his arraignment Sunday on charges of rape of a child, attempted homicide and other offenses.
TAYLOR - A 40-year-old man has been charged in the brutal rape and attempted murder of a 5-year-old girl after a holiday picnic at her family's home, police said.
Felix E. Montoya, of 270 Tamworth Drive, was discovered half-clothed in the child's bedroom early Sunday by a shocked family who kept him at bay until police arrived. He was charged with rape of a child, attempted homicide and other offenses.
The victim was treated at a hospital for injuries to her face and head, adult bite marks on her thigh and shoulder and severe rape-related injuries, according the criminal complaint.
The Times-Tribune does not identify victims of alleged sexual crimes.
Shackled and handcuffed and clad in a hospital gown, Mr. Montoyo quietly told reporters he was "sorry" as he was led to arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Alyce Hailstone Farrell on Sunday afternoon.
According to a criminal complaint filed by Taylor Patrolmen Kevin Froese and Ryan Deluccie, the victim's family hosted an Independence Day picnic Saturday in their yard. Although unknown to the family, Mr. Montoyo attended as a friend of a friend.
The victim went to bed at about 10:30 p.m. At 2 a.m. Sunday, her parents began to clean up and checked on their children, only to find the victim's door locked. The mother knocked on the door and after a few moments, the girl opened it and ran out, her face red and swollen and her underpants on backwards. Mr. Montoyo was found under a bed wearing only tennis shoes and a T-shirt, police said. The father entered the room and cornered the man until police arrived.
Investigators found the girl's nightgown stained with blood and feces. At Community Medical Center, Dr. Michael Rogan of the Children's Advocacy Center and emergency room physician Dr. Vincent Pollino cataloged the girl's injuries: Severe bruising and cuts to the back, bruising and bleeding around the eyes consistent with strangulation, adult bite marks on shoulder and thigh, adult hand marks on her neck and right cheek and rape-related injuries significant enough to require surgery.
In court Sunday, Mr. Montoyo sat with his head down and hands tightly clasped, his knees shaking as the air conditioner kicked on.
As Judge Farrell contemplated bail, Mr. Montoyo noted that he had lived in the area for eight years, and in Brooklyn, N.Y., for 13 years before that. He told the judge he was born in Colombia, is married, has a job and two grown children.
First Assistant District Attorney Gene Talerico said given the heinousness of the crime and Mr. Montoyo's connections to Brooklyn, Colombia and Costa Rica, he would argue for "significant bail," although he did not specify an amount. Judge Farrell set bail at $200,000, and Mr. Montoyo was committed to the Lackawanna County Prison.
"In case someone posts this, you are not to have any contact with this little girl - not you and not anyone through you," she warned.
When asked if he had anything to say, Mr. Montoyo told the judge "I am sorry for real. I never did anything like this before in my life. It is stupid."
Mr. Montoya's preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. July 15, in county court.
Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com.
222 posted comments
What do you think?
THIS BOTTOM FEEDER SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN HERE IN OUR AREA, PERIOD.
HE WAS A FOREIGNER, PERIOD. I DON'T CARE IF HE WAS HERE LEGALLY OR NOT, AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH POLITICAL VIEWS OR PREJUDICE.
IT IS THE "CULTURAL QUALITY AND SUBSTANCE" OF TOO MANY THAT ARE LITERALLY INVADING NOT ONLY OUR AREA, BUT CITIES ALL ACROSS OUR NATION. IF YOU FEEL SORRY FOR THEM AND WANT YOUR HEART TO BLEED, GO RIGHT AHEAD BECAUSE YOU'RE IN DENIAL. I'M TELLING IT LIKE IT IS!
THIS IS NOT SOME TREE-HUGGING FAIRY TALE.
READ THE TIMES ARTICLE & COMMENTS ABOUT THE PARADE THEY WANTED TO HAVE IN SOUTHSIDE SCRANTON. READ THE COMMENTS OF THOSE THAT WITNESSED THE CHARACTER OF THESE "POOR" PEOPLE.
GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR BACKSIDE AND REALISE THAT WE'RE ALLOWING THE WOLVES TO MOVE IN WITH THE SHEEP. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THE THEFT, SHOOTINGS, MUGGINGS, BEATINGS, MURDERS AND NOW RAPE OF INNOCENT CHILDREN.
I'D BET YOUR HEART WOULDN'T BE BLEEDING FOR THEM IF THAT LITTLE GIRL WAS YOUR DAUGHTER. ENOUGH SAID.
I hope that man gets what he deserves in jail.