By Mike Anderson

Tribune-Herald staff writer

Two Mexia men have been arrested today in connection with the sexual assault of an 18-year-old Tehuacana resident who had to be airlifted Wednesday to a hospital because of stab wounds suffered in the attack, according to the sheriff’s office.

The Limestone County Sheriff’s Department reported it received a call at 4:53 a.m. Wednesday from a resident south of Coolidge off Farm-to-Market Road 1951 that a woman was at the home saying she had been sexually assaulted.

The victim, who underwent surgery, was reported to be in stable condition this afternoon at Scott and White Hospital in Temple.

Law enforcement officers said the two men reportedly ran the woman’s vehicle off the road between Mexia and Tehuacana early Wednesday morning, then assaulted her for more than two hours while driving around the county before finally dumping her.

A friend of the victim’s family who declined to be identified told the Tribune-Herald that two men began talking to the victim and some friends Tuesday night when they were gathered near a video shop in Mexia. The two men then began following the victim.

Javier Guzman Martinez, 17, has been interrogated at the Mexia Police Department and taken to the Limestone County Jail, according to a sheriff’s office news release. Noel Darwin Hernandez, 22, was arrested by deputy U.S. marshals at a Waco bus station. Hernandez was taken to the McLennan County Jail.

Limestone County District Attorney Roy DeFriend and his staff have prepared two felony criminal offenses against the men, according to the release. Each will face one count of aggravated sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping. They will appear before Limestone County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Judge Sherri Lenoir for arraignment and bond setting either tonight or Friday morning.

Law enforcement officials say both men are illegal immigrants.

The victim, whose name has not been released, was taken by helicopter Wednesday to Scott & White Hospital in Temple. Officials said she had undergone surgery for numerous cuts and was in stable condition.

Limestone County Sheriff’s Office investigators identified at least three separate crime scenes related to the aggravated sexual assault, the release said. Sheriff’s office investigators received assistance from the Department of Public Safety Crime Lab in Waco and Austin at the crime scenes as well as Texas Ranger Steve Foster and deputy U.S. marshals out of Waco.

Limestone County Sheriff Dennis Wilson said he appreciated the work of all the law enforcement agencies in the case.

“Working together we were able to successfully solve this criminal offense,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with this young female victim, her family and friends. We will continue to support her and her family in the days ahead.”

He also lauded personnel “who worked nonstop around the clock until these two suspects were identified and arrested.”

manderson@wacotrib.com

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