Bel Air Father Who Raped Victim While Kids Were Home Faces Deportation

BEL AIR, MD — A 33-year-old Bel Air man has been found guilty of rape, assault and a sex offense. He also has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

On July 14, 2023, a 23-year-old woman reported being raped while doing laundry. She told Bel Air police officers that Jose Wilfred Orellana-Cedillos had asked her for a kiss, but she told him no. Orellana-Cedillos continued to pursue her by groping her breasts, digitally penetrating her and forcibly raping her in the basement of the home where she was doing laundry. The victim was related to the mother of Orellana-Cedillos' children who were inside the house when the incident occurred, police said.

The victim was taken to Harford Memorial Hospital for a sexual assault forensic examination. A forensic nurse examiner used an alternative light source to determine that the victim had bruising to her breasts and injuries to her vagina consistent with non-consensual intercourse. DNA taken from the victim’s breasts was analyzed by the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division and matched Orellana-Cedillos, according to court documents. Orellana was apprehended later that night during a traffic stop.

On Feb. 8, Orellana-Cedillos was found guilty by a jury of second-degree rape, fourth-degree sex offense, and second-degree assault following a five-day jury trial. Sentencing has been set for April 15 where Orellana-Cedillos faces up to 20 years for second-degree rape, one year for fourth-degree sex offense and 10 years for second-degree assault.

While Orellana-Cedillos is being held at the Harford County Detention Center awaiting sentencing, he also is being subsequently held on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer. Orellana-Cedillos could be deported as a result of this conviction, the prosecution said.

“Reporting a sexual assault requires an immense amount of courage, particularly in a case such as this one where the victim is acquainted with the defendant. The victim demonstrated that courage in this case by confronting her abuser through her report of this offense and through her testimony in trial. Our community is much safer with this defendant behind bars and we are relieved that he will face a substantial sentence criminally in this case. We are also optimistic that he will face the appropriate immigration consequences as well," State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey said after the trial.