Suspected Smyrna Child Sex Predator May Have Fled US

SMYRNA, TN -- Smyrna Police have been looking for Artemio Xalate-Rivas since his July indictment on several counts of child rape and aggravated battery, but investigators fear Xalate-Rivas may have fled to Mexico "or somewhere farther south."

Xalate-Rivas is accused of sexually molesting a girl between the ages of four and six. The Department of Child Services determined that some of the molestation took place in Smyrna and the Rutherford County grand jury indicted Xalate-Rivas five months ago, but he's yet to be taken into custody.

"We cannot confirm, but we suspect that he may have fled the country," Sgt. Bobby Gibson told News 2. "It’s just harder, especially you’re talking he could be somewhere in Mexico, or even further down south than that. ... This individual is suspected of doing something very bad to a child and we need to bring this person in so no other children are victimized by him."

Xalate-Rivas lived in Smyrna and other parts of Rutherford County for some time. Though in the country illegally, he was employed and had relationships with several women. He was known to have driven a Toyota Scion with bright pink rims.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Xalate-Rivas is asked to contact the Smyrna Police Department at 615-267-5433.

Photo via Smyrna Police