Crime & Safety

‘Foot Guide' Charged In Sexual Abuse Of Immigrant Girl, 17, During Border Crossing

Cecilio Jimenez-Bautista is charged with being an alleged foot guide, abusive sexual contact and sexual abuse by fear.

(Times of San Diego)

April 6, 2023

A man who allegedly sexually abused a teen-aged undocumented immigrant has been indicted by a grand jury, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Thursday.

Find out what's happening in San Diegofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Cecilio Jimenez-Bautista, 26, is accused of acting as a “foot guide” for the unaccompanied girl and other Mexican citizens as they came into the country from Tijuana last June.

Federal prosecutors say Jimenez-Bautista and his brother, Alexander Jimenez-Bautista, 20, led the group through the Otay Mountain Wilderness area.

Find out what's happening in San Diegofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Over the course of three days, the older man allegedly “repeatedly isolated the girl, 17, from the group” and “ultimately used her fear of him to cause her to engage in sex with him, causing her serious bodily injury,” prosecutors said.

The group was eventually arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents near Otay Lakes Road.

Both brothers are charged for their roles as alleged foot guides, while Cecilio Jimenez-Bautista is additionally charged with abusive sexual contact and sexual abuse by fear, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.


Times of San Diego is an independent online news site covering the San Diego metropolitan area. Our journalists report on politics, crime, business, sports, education, arts, the military and everyday life in San Diego. No subscription is required, and you can sign up for a free daily newsletter with a summary of the latest news.