PORTLAND, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Portland Police Department recently arrested an undocumented Guatemalan national who is accused of multiple sex crimes against a child.
According to police, Elias Tum Chic, 30, was taken into custody on Jan. 23. He is being held in the Sumner County Jail after being accused of sexually molesting a 10-year-old girl multiple times. Portland Police Chief Jason Arnold said the young girl is a hero for coming forward.
“She was brave enough to come forward to tell her story and this happened more than once,” Arnold told News 2. He added Chic allegedly offered the girl “five dollars to keep her mouth shut” and his relationship to the child’s family is unclear.
Chief Arnold said it appeared that Chic worked at a factory, but authorities said they are not sure which factory it was.
According to investigators, Chic had fake IDs and fraudulent Social Security cards from California and Texas when he was arrested.
“We got into his phone and found all kinds of evidence of identity theft and trafficking and other crimes that are way way worse, so that is being investigated,” said Arnold.
Officials added the 30-year-old had many disturbing images on his phone, including what appears to be an execution-style murder.
Arnold told News 2 the police department has “talked about” the case with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Do you see a change in ICE at all?” asked News 2’s Andy Cordan.
“Oh yeah, they’ve kicked it into high gear, replied Arnold. “They’re coming to help us in any way we need. If we have those who are here illegally that are committing crimes, that’s their priority to pluck them out of our communities and send them back to where they need to go. After, of course, they face justice here.”
According to Arnold, Chic is being held on an ICE detainer. He was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery and one count of attempted aggravated sexual battery.
Booking records show the 30-year-old is also being held in Sumner County Jail on a $300,000 bond.
