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On Friday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued an arrest detainer for an Egyptian national accused of a serious crime in Tennessee. The individual, an undocumented immigrant, is suspected of raping a 16-year-old girl while she was asleep in her home on New Year’s Eve.
The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Mena Mohsen Farez Nmn Awad, allegedly forced entry into a Nashville apartment. According to a report by WSMV-TV, he began to assault the teenager as she slept beside her nephew.
Reports indicate that the victim awoke to find Awad in her bed, armed with a handgun tucked into his waistband, before being assaulted.
In a desperate attempt to escape, the girl managed to break away, took her nephew, and promised Awad she would remain silent about the ordeal if he left the premises.
Authorities confirmed that ICE has placed an arrest detainer on Mena Mohsen Farez Nmn Awad due to his status as an illegal immigrant from Egypt, following accusations of the sexual assault of the young girl. (Credit: Metro Nashville Police Department)
According to DHS, Awad has a history of violence since entering the U.S. in 2017 through the Diversity Visa program.
He was previously charged with domestic violence, intimidation, possession of a weapon, violation of a court order and vehicle theft, the agency said.
“Horrendous immigration policies allowed this monster into our country and made victims of children and families,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. “This child rapist was allowed into our country by the Diversity Lottery program. Secretary Noem paused the diversity lottery to ensure no more Americans are harmed by this disastrous program.”
Mena Mohsen Farez Nmn Awad is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodging an arrest detainer, according to federal authorities. (Metro Nashville Police Department )
McLaughlin added that ICE’s arrest detainer would “ensure he is not released onto our streets to victimize more children.”
According to DHS, the victim called her sister, who then contacted authorities after Awad left the residence.
Awad was later apprehended by police in Louisville, Kentucky, on Jan. 16, and was extradited to Tennessee the following week.
ICE filed an arrest detainer for Mena Mohsen Farez Nmn Awad following allegations he sexually assaulted a sleeping teenage girl in Nashville, authorities said. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
He was charged with aggravated rape with a weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated burglary, DHS said.