By JONATHAN BANDLER

THE JOURNAL NEWS  (Original publication: January 19, 2007)

A Paraguayan man who tried to flee the country while Mount Pleasant police were building a case against him in the rape of a young girl pleaded guilty yesterday.

 

Derlis Canete, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree rape, admitting that he had sex with the 12-year-old girl last summer.

 

Canete had rented a room at the victim's home for several weeks but disappeared after the July 2 attack. Her parents reported it to police on July 6, and detectives tried to find Canete in Harrison and White Plains, where he had lived previously.

 

At one of the locations, they found a photocopy of a visa with a different last name that Canete was using. They alerted the Department of Homeland Security the next day and learned that Canete was on a flight to Houston using the other name - with a plan to make a connecting flight from there to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

 

Police got an arrest warrant from a town judge who was hitting golf balls at a driving range and sent the warrant to police in Houston, who were waiting for Canete when he got off the plane.

 

Canete was charged with first-degree rape, but the charge was reduced by prosecutors as part of a plea deal to spare the girl from having to testify.

 

He faces up to seven years in state prison when Westchester County Judge Rory Bellantoni sentences him on Feb. 15.

 

Reach Jonathan Bandler at jbandler@lohud.com or 914-694-3520.

 

On July 6, 2006, the Mount Pleasant Police Department received the report of a rape involving a 12 year old Mt. Pleasant girl.  The rape reportedly took place during the early morning hours of July 2, 2006.  The detective bureau commenced an immediate investigation in which evidence was collected for submission to the Westchester County Department of Labs and Research.  The ensuing investigation took detectives to North White Plains, White Plains and Harrison, where further information was collected.  It was learned that the suspect was an acquaintance of a resident in the home where the alleged attack occurred. The suspect rented a single room in this house and had lived there for several weeks.

 

On July 7, 2006, detectives continued their investigation.  Knowing that the suspect was an illegal alien from Paraguay, the decision was made to have the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration, Customs & Enforcement notified requesting that they monitor for possible airline ticket purchases by the rape suspect.   The suspect was identified as Derlis Hernan Canete, a 23 year old Hispanic male and a known alias was also given.

 

During the late afternoon of July 7th, the Mt. Pleasant Police Department received notification from the Department of Homeland Security that the suspect had in-fact purchased a one way ticket from Newark International Airport to Argentina, with a short stopover in Houston Texas.   The suspect had used his alias and a fraudulent Visa to purchase his ticket.  The investigating detectives immediately responded back to headquarters where it was learned that the suspect's plane was presently flying over Tennessee.  With less that an hour before the plane was to touch down in Houston, Texas, the detectives made contact with Homeland Security in Texas and the Westchester County Special Prosecution Unit of the DA's Office.  A felony complaint charging Canete with rape in the first degree was prepared.  An Arrest Warrant was rushed to a Mount Pleasant Judge who was enjoying his afternoon off at a local golfing range.  There, officers provide the Judge with "probable cause" for the issuance of an Arrest Warrant.  The signed warrant was rushed back to police headquarters where it was faxed to Texas.  A picture with pedigree information was e-mailed to Homeland Security Officers in Texas to facilitate a positive identification arrest.  Shortly after receiving the paperwork in Texas the suspect was arrested as he deplaned preparing for the next leg of his get-away.

 

Derlis Hernan Canete was arraigned in Houston on 7/8/06 at which time he waived extradition hearings.  He is expected back in Westchester County in the very near future to face his charge of rape in Mt. Pleasant Justice Court.

 

Lead Detective Romaine, Detective Frawley and Police Officer Mendoza have been recognized for their outstanding work so far in this case.  The investigation is continuing to ensure a successful prosecution.

 

Lt. Brian Fanelli