A 28-year-old Stamford man was arrested for carrying on an inappropriate relationship with his 12-year-old cousin, Stamford police announced Friday.
Police began investigating allegations that Jorge Carrillo-Palencia was carrying on a sexual relationship with his then 12-year-old cousin that included the Carrillo-Palencia being in possession of pornographic pictures of his cousin on his cellphone, Captain Richard Conklin said.
The investigation started when Carrillo-Palencia brought his cousin to a Norwalk hotel for the weekend. He was charged with risk of injury to a child at the time, but police said the victim was being uncooperative enough that they were unable to charge him further.
In April 2013, police learned the pair was continuing their relationship and intercepted a phone that was supposed to be delivered to the victim by a third party, Conklin said.
The cellphone of Carrillo-Palencia was then also seized, and it was at this time the photos were allegedly discovered. As an arrest warrant was being prepared, police learned from school authorities that the victim had told several classmates she and Carrillo-Palencia were planning to run away together, according to Conklin. The victim was taken into protective custody at this time and an arrest warrant was obtained.
Carrillo-Palencia's car was spotted in the area of 32 Smith Street and police staked out the car until Carrillo-Palencia turned up. He was taken into custody at that time following a brief struggle, Conklin said.
Carrillo-Palencia was charged with possession of child pornography, employing a minor in an obscene performance and risk of injury to a minor. He was held on a $500,000 bond and an Immigration detainer. He was scheduled to be arraigned at the Stamford court house Friday.
The Stamford Police Departments Special Investigations Juvenile Division led the investigation, and Conklin praised their efforts.
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