BENTON COUNTY, Wash.-A Benton County man charged with kidnapping and rape stemming from sexual allegations involving a juvenile from Pasco may have other victims in Yakima and Grant Counties.
Jose Marcelo-Bustos, 37, was charged with first degree kidnapping and second degree rape in Benton County Superior Court on March 21. Bail has been set at $1 million.
According to probable cause court documents, Pasco police responded to the report of a runaway 15-year-old on March 14, who left home after an argument with her parents and could be seen getting into a car on security footage from a neighbor’s home.
The victim returned home later in the day and was taken to the hospital for a sexual assault exam. In an interview with Pasco PD at the hospital, the victim reported that she thought the incident took place in Richland and the case was transferred to Richland police.
RPD investigated and identified Marcelo-Bustos as a suspect through interviews with the victim. According to court documents, the victim reportedly met the suspect through social media, where he reportedly told her he was 16 before she agreed to meet him.
The victim and her father retraced her steps to try and remember where the crimes occurred and determined that the alleged rape happened at the Upchurch Winery in Benton City.
RPD then found Marcelo-Bustos on the staff page of the winery website where he worked as the Cellar Master.
RPD then determined that the alleged crimes happened outside Richland city limits and the case was turned over to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
According to court documents, the victim reported that Marcelo-Bustos took her phone and held her against her will and raped her multiple times before taking her back to her home on March 15.
BCSO Detectives arrested Marcelo-Bustos on March 18 and through the course of their investigation learned that he is also suspected in other cases of sexual assault against minors in Yakima and Grant Counties.
Marcelo-Bustos allegedly communicated with minors via social media and the BCSO is asking for the public’s help in identifying any more victims.
Anyone with any information on Marcelo-Bustos is asked to contact Detective Hart at 509-518-3109 or Payten.Hart@co.benton.wa.us.