FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A man accused of raping two women on Fredericksburg walking trails was arrested in Guatemala after DNA evidence linked him to the attacks, authorities said.
On Tuesday, federal authorities arrested Cesar Paau-Pan, 22, of Spotsylvania. He faces 11 felony charges stemming from separate attacks in October 2025 and May 2026, according to the Fredericksburg Police Department.
Paau-Pan had previously been arrested in Fredericksburg on an unrelated indecent exposure charge in June. Federal immigration authorities took him into custody, and he voluntarily departed the United States for Guatemala in July before investigators received DNA results linking him to the rapes.
He remains in custody in Guatemala pending extradition proceedings, which police said could take several months.
The first reported rape occurred Oct. 19, 2025, along the canal path near Dale Street, between Washington Avenue and Emancipation Highway.
Police said a woman was grabbed from behind and forced to the ground. A passerby interrupted the assault, prompting the attacker to flee.
Investigators collected DNA evidence but initially could not identify a suspect.
The second attack occurred May 31 on Ficklen Island, just upstream of Old Mill Park.
In that case, a woman reported being grabbed by an attacker who placed a rag over her mouth. She told investigators the suspect wore distinctive footwear and likely suffered a hand injury while she fought back.
Investigators collected DNA evidence in both cases and submitted it to the Virginia Department of Forensic Science for testing.
Investigators got a potential break June 17 when a Fredericksburg detective learned of an indecent exposure investigation along the riverbank in the 300 block of Riverside Drive.
Two juvenile girls had reported seeing a man masturbating in front of them, according to police.
Detective Mejia, who was investigating the May rape, recognized similarities between the suspect's description and information gathered in the sexual assault cases.
Officers located Paau-Pan in a nearby wooded area and arrested him on an indecent exposure charge.
During an interview, Mejia noticed that his footwear and a hand injury were consistent with details provided by the May assault victim.
Investigators collected a DNA sample for comparison with evidence from both rapes.
At the time, police said they did not have sufficient probable cause to arrest Paau-Pan in either sexual assault case.
Police initially held him at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on $1,000 bond.
Federal immigration authorities placed a detainer on Paau-Pan and took custody of him June 19. Following a voluntary departure hearing, he left the United States for Guatemala on July 18.
On Aug. 3, investigators learned that DNA evidence linked Paau-Pan to the October 2025 rape, police said.
About a week later, additional forensic results linked him to the May 2026 attack.
A grand jury indicted Paau-Pan on Aug. 24 on 11 charges:
Police said the indictments were initially sealed by court order to protect the international effort to locate and arrest Paau-Pan.
Working with the FBI's Richmond office, the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs and Guatemalan authorities, investigators located and arrested him Tuesday.
Paau-Pan has the right to contest extradition in Guatemala. Police said the Virginia charges will be served when he returns to the United States.
Fredericksburg Police Chief Betsy Mason acknowledged that the attacks had raised concerns about safety along the city's popular walking trails.
"The safety of our community is our highest priority," Mason said. "We are grateful for the trust and support of Fredericksburg residents as we worked to resolve these cases and restore a sense of security to our city."
Mason also credited investigators for their persistence in identifying the suspect and coordinating his arrest overseas.
Police emphasized that the department does not routinely inquire about a person's immigration status unless it is necessary for an investigation.
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