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WATCH: Guatemalan Illegal Immigrant Arrested in Brevard County for Sexual Assault in Palm Bay

By  //  June 2, 2026

Brevard Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit Arrests Guatemalan national on Sexual Battery Charge who entered the U.S. illegally

ABOVE VIDEO: Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit arrested Axel Lopez Diaz on Friday in connection with a sexual battery investigation stemming from an incident that occurred on May 27.

Brevard County Sheriff identified suspect Lopez Diaz as a Guatemalan national who authorities say entered the United States illegally.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey announced the arrest of a Palm Bay man accused of sexually battering a woman who had offered him a ride home.

According to Sheriff Ivey, members of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit arrested Axel Lopez Diaz on Friday in connection with a sexual battery investigation stemming from an incident that occurred on May 27.

Investigators identified Lopez Diaz as a Guatemalan national who authorities say entered the United States illegally.

The investigation began after a female victim reported that she had given Lopez Diaz a ride home. During the drive, Lopez Diaz allegedly asked the victim if she wanted to have sex, and she declined.

Sheriff Ivey said that after arriving at Lopez Diaz’s residence, he allegedly became violent, forcefully holding the victim down and grabbing her by the throat before sexually assaulting her.

The victim fought back during the attack, according to investigators.

Sheriff Ivey said the assault was interrupted when the victim’s phone rang, and someone on the other end of the call became connected.

Hearing another person on the line, Lopez Diaz fled the scene.

Following an investigation, members of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit located and arrested Axel Lopez Diaz at a Home Depot in Palm Bay. Lopez Diaz was transported to the Brevard County Jail, where he is being held on charges related to the sexual battery investigation.

Following an investigation, members of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit located and arrested Lopez Diaz Friday morning at a Home Depot in Palm Bay.

Lopez Diaz was transported to the Brevard County Jail, where he is being held on charges related to the sexual battery investigation.

Sheriff Ivey praised investigators for their work in quickly identifying and apprehending the suspect.

“This is exactly why our agency works closely with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection, and our law enforcement partners to protect our citizens and keep dangerous criminals off our streets,” Ivey said.

The case will now be reviewed by the State Attorney’s Office as prosecutors move forward with criminal proceedings. Additional immigration-related actions are expected to be handled by federal authorities.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.