Polk County Sheriff's Office arrests Axel Antonio Espinal Herrera for sexual battery and home invasion

The arrest involves a violent crime investigation in Polk County and highlights the application of immigration-related sentencing enhancements and federal detainer holds for individuals in the country illegally.

• •Axel Antonio Espinal Herrera, 24, was arrested for sexual battery and home invasion.
• •The victim is a 77-year-old woman residing in Mulberry.
• •The incident occurred at approximately 4 a.m. on Saturday.
• •The suspect is subject to an ICE hold.
• •Criminal charges against the suspect carry a one-degree enhancement due to his illegal immigration status.
• •The suspect was found in possession of cocaine at the time of arrest.
• •Investigators found physical evidence, including scratches on the suspect, consistent with the victim's account.
• •Two other individuals found in the home with the suspect were also identified as being in the country illegally from Honduras and are subject to ICE holds.