By Meg Peters
Review Staff Writer
A native of Mexico, reportedly in the United States illegally, was arrested on January 16 in Orion Township for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman working at the Red Roof Inn, 2755 S. Lapeer.
Gustavo Ramirez, 32, was arraigned on January 18 for fourth degree criminal sexual conduct and was ordered held on $7,500 bond.
He is charged with attacking a 40-year-old Oxford Township woman who was cleaning a room when Ramirez allegedly assaulted her. She was able to get free from him and called 911.
Oakland County sheriff deputies later arrested Ramirez but he refused to answer detectives? questions.
He is lodged in the Oakland County Jail. A pre-trial hearing is set for January 26. He could face up to two years in prison.
Upon investigation, deputies learned Ramirez is from Mexico and is in the United States illegally. Prior to working in Michigan, Gustavo was staying in South Carolina.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been notified, according to police.
Although Ramirez is undocumented, he was staying at the Red Roof Inn with a group of contractors for construction work with a local company.
A contractor had rented the rooms, one of which Ramirez was staying in.
‘That is where our investigation will continue,? Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Dan Toth said. ‘It will have a bearing on the investigation but not on the criminal case. The act was alone.?
More information about Ramirez’s illegal status will be determined if he is convicted, and will be handled under new federal policies set in place earlier this month.??
The new memorandum, ‘Policies for Apprehension, Detention and Removal of Undocumented Immigrants? was issued November 20, 2014, and became effective January 5. The memorandum details policies for prioritizing the removal of undocumented immigrants according to three different tiers of priorities.