Omaha man denied bail for sexually abusing teenager

OMAHA, Nebraska (WOWT) – An Omaha man accused of sexually assaulting and attempting to kidnap a teenager made his first court appearance Friday.

Ivan E. Vazquez, 25, was charged in Douglas County District Court with first-degree sexual abuse of a child.

On Wednesday around 9 p.m., officers with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call in a neighborhood near North 114th and Potter Street about the attempted kidnapping of a 13-year-old boy. An affidavit states the victim posted on Reddit that he was looking for a flirt. He received a message from an unknown account and agreed to communicate with them on Snapchat. About six hours after the original post, the victim told his parents he was going for a walk.

When they met at the agreed location, the victim told the man he had changed his mind. He grabbed the victim by the arm and pulled her into his car before allegedly attacking her.

The victim’s mother told the officer on scene that she was on her way to the store and decided to pick up her son along the way. She had driven to the perpetrator’s car; he drove off at high speed while the 13-year-old was still inside. He was able to get out and contact his father. She tracked her son on his phone and found the car, which she followed for a short distance and from which she obtained part of the license plate.

After his arrest, Vasquez reportedly spoke to the victim on Reddit and Snapchat. He believed the victim was 19 years old and appeared younger due to a medical condition. Vasquez also claimed that all activities were consensual and that the victim entered his vehicle voluntarily.

Vasquez was denied bail and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 5. If convicted, he faces 20 years to life in prison.

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