UPDATE: Man charged with rape in Worcester County

A man from the Dominican Republic, who has reportedly been working on a visa in Worcester County, is now facing rape charges.

The Worcester County Bureau of Investigations says during the late afternoon of Friday, July 31, Deputies from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a rape at a home in West Ocean City.

During that investigation, which was later turned over to WCBI, a 19-year-old girl, who is working in the area on a visa, described to investigators what happened, and was taken to the hospital to have a rape kit test done.

Investigators say they were able to find the suspect, 29-year-old Victor Ramon Checco-Penna, who is working in the area on a visa, and interview him with the help of Maryland State Police Trooper, to translate.

On Wednesday, following a series of translated interviews with both the suspect, and the victim, Victor Ramon Checco-Penna was arrested, and charged with second degree rape, fourth degree sex offense, and assault in the second degree. He is currently being held at the Worcester County Detention Center on a $75,000 bond.

The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation says they were assisted throughout the course of the investigation by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office, Maryland State Police, Berlin Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations