Man Sexually Assaulted Underage Girl Renting Room From Him In ChesCo

EAST WHITELAND, PA — A Chester County man in prison for child rape was found guilty last week of sexually assaulting a different minor.

Two years ago, Jose Ramirez-Cantarero was convicted of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl. Ramirez-Cantarero, 39, of Malvern is serving a 42 to 84-year prison sentence for the offense.

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Ramirez-Cantarero stood trial last week for indecent assault of a different child. The victim, who was then 17, recently arrived from Bolivia. She and two family members began renting a room from Ramirez-Cantarero in the East Whiteland Township area, according to the Chester County District Attorney's Office.

In April 2022, Ramirez-Cantarero invited the victim to come to a local store with him. Instead, he drove her into the woods and told her to sit on his lap, authorities said.

Ramirez-Cantarero touched the victim's breasts and genitals, prosecutors said. He urged her not to tell anyone about the incident.

The victim told a family member and contacted police. Ramirez-Cantarero was charged in the incident two months later.

After a week-long trial, a jury found Ramirez-Cantarero guilty of aggravated indecent assault without consent and similar offenses.

He is awaiting sentencing.

"This man has now been convicted of sexually assaulting multiple children," said Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe, "and — thanks to the courage of the victims and the hard work of police — will be held behind bars for decades."

East Whiteland Township Police led the investigation with help from Chester County detectives.