Illegal sentenced for sexual assault

An El Salvadoran man in the country illegally for a second time was sentenced to 25 years in prison Monday after he pleaded guilty to one count of sexual battery in Madison County Circuit Court involving an incident at a Madison restaurant after closing time. 

The man, Jose “Rigo” Rigoberto Mejia-Cubias, 37, was sentenced on April 28 by Judge Dewey Arthur to 25 years in prison without the possibility of early release or parole. The sentence came three months after the crime. 

“I hope this swift justice brings closure to the victim and serves as a warning to anyone thinking of committing a similarly heinous offense,” said Madison County District Attorney John K. “Bubba” Bramlett, Jr.

At about 1 a.m. on Jan. 30, the Madison Police Department responded to a 911 call from a female who said she had been raped at Fernando’s, 121 Colony Crossing Way. 

The victim did not remember everything that happened but woke up on the floor of the bar area around midnight, left the premises, and called the police. Surveillane footage showed the victim had passed out before being raped.

Cubias was indicted four days later, on Feb. 3, for sexual battery of a physically helpless person. 

Law enforcement also determined he was an illegal El Salvadoran immigrant and alerted federal authorities to his immigration status. He is still facing pending charges of unlawful entry into the United States. He was previously deported in 2010.