Two charged with rape, sodomy

Pedro Gomez, 23 and Maria Castro, 29

An illegal immigrant and the mother of a Russellville child are in custody today, charged with rape and sodomy of the 8-year-old girl.

Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said Maria Castro, 29, and Pedro Gomez, 23, of Russellville, were each charged with first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy. Gomez allegedly raped the young girl; her mother allegedly knew it was taking place and did nothing about it.

“It’s awful,” Oliver said. “It’s a terrible case.”

According to Oliver, the young victim had reported the abuse to a counselor at school. The school contacted the Department of Human Resources, which notified the FCSO.

Authorities said Castro is being held in the Franklin County Jail with a $50K bail, while the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a hold on Gomez, who is in the country illegally. It is not yet known whether Castro is in the country legally.

Oliver said he is glad this situation is over for the child victim. “Maybe she can have a little peace and start recovering.”