Maryland prosecutors said Friday they will drop rape and sex offense charges against two illegal immigrant teens accused of attacking a 14-year-old fellow student at school.
Prosecutors said in court that the sexual assault case against Jose Montano, 17, will be dropped one day after they told a lawyer for Henry Sanchez Milian, 18, they would do the same for his case, the Washington Post reported.
The two teens entered the United States illegally months before the alleged attack–Montano from El Salvador and Sanchez Milian from Guatemala. They were stopped at the border and detained, but were then allowed to enter the U.S. to visit relatives. The pair subsequently enrolled in a Maryland school.
The 14-year-old claimed she was pushed into a bathroom stall at Rockville High School on March 16, alleging both suspects took turns assaulting her while she tried to break free.
"Defense lawyers for both defendants have said the sex acts were consensual and that text messages and school surveillance videos did not substantiate the girl's claims," the Post reported.
In late March the White House addressed the case, calling it "tragic." White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said the crime underscores why Trump has made illegal immigration a top priority.
"The idea that this occurred is shocking, disturbing, horrific, and whatever other words someone can think of," Spicer said. "Immigration takes its toll on our people if it is not done legally."
Montano was released from custody on Friday on the judge's orders.