The case against a 19-year-old California student accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl has taken a turn as investigators continue to examine whether additional victims may have come forward.
Andres Manuel Aguilar, a Menlo College student, remains jailed without bail as he faces two counts of forcible sexual assault – rape and oral copulation – and one count of felony providing marijuana to a juvenile stemming from an alleged May 5 encounter.
The preliminary hearing was continued until Aug. 27 as investigators review information that could lead to additional charges.
Prosecutors allege the girl snuck out of her home after previously meeting Aguilar at a Menlo Park bus stop, despite telling him she was 17 years old, prosecutors said he acknowledged she was still underage.
The pair walked to a Safeway store, where prosecutors say they obtained beer and rum before returning to Aguilar's dorm room. There, investigators allege they drank alcohol and vaped marijuana before Aguilar sexually assaulted the girl despite her repeatedly telling him "no."
Aguilar then allegedly became concerned about a possible pregnancy and used a delivery service to have a Plan B emergency contraceptive delivered to his dorm room before giving it to the girl.
Investigators also say dormitory surveillance video captured Aguilar and the girl entering his room before later showing the girl leaving.
Menlo College said it takes allegations of criminal conduct seriously and is cooperating with law enforcement, but declined to comment on Aguilar specifically due to federal and state privacy laws and College policy.
The district attorney's office is encouraging anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Aguilar to contact law enforcement, adding that whether additional charges are filed will depend on the evidence gathered during the ongoing investigation.
The case has sparked concern among law enforcement and community leaders, who are urging anyone who may have been affected to come forward and seek help.
