Charles Norwood: “I rise on the floor of the House today to share, sadly, yet another tragic story of another instance where senseless…”

“I rise on the floor of the House today to share, sadly, yet another tragic story of another instance where senseless criminal acts, acts that could have been prevented and should have never happened, were allowed to take place because of our badly broken immigration system. Mr. Speaker, for the last year, South Florida has been terrorized by a serial rapist. Beginning in September of last year, seven females in the Miami area, ranging between the ages of 11 and 79, have been victimized by a vicious, brutal criminal. Needless to say, the year-long attacks have left most women who live in the Miami area fearing for their safety and on guard for these past 12 months. Thankfully, the local law enforcement authorities in the area believe they now have their man. Earlier this month, Miami police arrested Reynaldo Rapalo. A citizen of Honduras, he is accused of raping the seven women I mentioned earlier, and trying to attack and rape four others during that same time. The Miami police indicate that they have Mr. Rapalo's fingerprints, his DNA that links him to these dastardly crimes, and finally his confession. Tragically, Mr. Speaker, they also had Mr. Rapalo himself back in October of last year, before six of the rapes had been allowed to occur. He was arrested on molestation charges, and at the time Mr. Rapalo's C-1 visa had expired. He was living here then illegally.”