A Loudoun County judge imposed the statutory maximum sentence after a man was convicted of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl and attempting to sexually assault her again.
LEESBURG, Va. — A Guatemalan national convicted of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl in Loudoun County has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, the maximum penalty allowed under Virginia law.
Aroldo Santos-Velasquez, 49, appeared before Loudoun County Circuit Court Judge James P. Fisher, who sentenced him on convictions for one count of aggravated sexual battery involving a child under 13 and one count of attempted aggravated sexual battery involving a child under 13.
Key Points
• A Loudoun County judge sentenced Aroldo Santos-Velasquez to 25 years in prison.
• Prosecutors said the victim was an 8-year-old girl.
• Santos-Velasquez will be required to register as a sex offender for life.
According to authorities, the case began in May 2024 when the Leesburg Police Department received a report from the victim’s mother alleging sexual abuse. Investigators determined that Santos-Velasquez sexually molested the child while another child was present.
Court records indicate Santos-Velasquez and the victims were known to each other.
Judge imposes maximum sentence
During the sentencing hearing, Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Amelia Flynn urged the court to impose the maximum sentence permitted by law, arguing that the severity of the crimes warranted the harshest available punishment.
“By imposing the statutory maximum, this Court can reassure [the victims] that during the period of the defendant’s incarceration that they are safe,” Flynn told the court.
Before announcing the sentence, Judge Fisher described the allegations as deeply disturbing.
“That type of scenario is shocking and speaks of a degree of incivility which is perplexing and is really without comprehension that you could do this to a little child in this fashion,” Fisher said before imposing the maximum sentence without suspension.
Prosecutors condemn crime
Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Anderson said the outcome reflected the seriousness of the offenses.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and we hope this outcome will aid in their healing,” Anderson said. “This type of crime is reprehensible, and those who commit such acts have no place in our community.”
In addition to the prison sentence, Santos-Velasquez must register as a sex offender for life.
DHS highlights immigration status
Following the sentencing, the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement identifying Santos-Velasquez as a Guatemalan national who had previously been deported from the United States after illegally entering the country in 2014.
According to DHS, Santos-Velasquez later re-entered the United States unlawfully at an unknown date and location.
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis called on Virginia officials to cooperate with federal immigration authorities following the completion of Santos-Velasquez’s sentence.
“This monster was sentenced to 25 years after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl,” Bis said. “DHS is calling on Governor Abigail Spanberger and her fellow sanctuary politicians to cooperate with us and turn this pedophile over to ICE custody after his sentence is complete.”
Immigration debate intensifies
The sentencing has become part of a broader political dispute between the Trump administration and Virginia officials over immigration enforcement and cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
DHS used the case to criticize policies adopted by Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration and cited several recent arrests involving undocumented immigrants across Virginia.
The governor’s office had not publicly responded to the DHS statement as of publication.
DHS cites additional cases in call for cooperation
Federal officials used the sentencing of Santos-Velasquez to renew criticism of Virginia’s immigration policies and to urge state and local officials to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement by honoring detainer requests and transferring criminal suspects into federal custody when eligible.
According to DHS, Santos-Velasquez is one of several undocumented immigrants recently arrested, charged, or convicted of serious crimes in Virginia. The agency highlighted the May arrest of Cristian Romero Saenz-Argueta, an El Salvadoran national accused of raping a girl younger than 15 in Prince William County. DHS also cited the arrest of Jorge Enrique Garcia-Rodriguez, a Mexican national charged in Franklin County with forcible intercourse involving a child under 13 and six counts of possessing child pornography.
The agency further pointed to the arrest of Walvin Victor Hugo Garcia, a Guatemalan national charged with raping a child under 13, and Roni Mendez-Escobar, who was charged with possession of child pornography with intent to distribute. DHS said both cases involved individuals who were later taken into ICE custody after local jurisdictions allegedly declined to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Federal officials target Virginia policies
DHS also referenced several additional cases, including Josue Saul Garcia-Lopez, whom the agency identified as an MS-13 gang member from El Salvador; Luzvin Orvando Garcia Moran, who was arrested on an attempted rape charge; and Israel Christopher Flores-Ortiz, who was convicted on multiple assault and battery counts involving underage girls.
The agency further cited murder cases involving Misael Lopez Gomez, who was charged in the death of his 3-month-old daughter; Anibal Armando Chavarria Muy, who was charged with second-degree murder in Fairfax County; and Abdul Jalloh, who was charged in the fatal stabbing of a woman at a bus stop in Hybla Valley.
In its statement, DHS called on Gov. Abigail Spanberger and local jurisdictions throughout Virginia to cooperate with ICE and transfer eligible offenders into federal custody following the completion of criminal proceedings or prison sentences. Federal officials argue that honoring detainer requests improves public safety by preventing the release of individuals they consider removable under federal immigration law.
Virginia officials have previously defended limits on state and local participation in federal immigration enforcement, arguing that criminal prosecutions should be handled through the court system and that immigration enforcement remains primarily a federal responsibility.