Kennewick Police arrest man for allegedly raping a middle school-aged girl

Kennewick Police have made an arrest in connection with a weeks-long investigation into child rape allegations.

According to a press release, officers started the investigation on December 31, 2019 when someone reported the alleged crime.

Officers turned over the report to the Criminal Investigations Division who followed up on the report with the help of the Support, Advocacy & Resource Center (SARC) and the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

Based on the investigation, detectives  developed probable cause to arrest Rodrigo Ignacio Noguez-Tapia, 19, Kennewick, for Rape of a Child 2nd degree.

Investigators say Noguez-Tapia allegedly had sexual contact with a middle school-aged girl for several months.

The victim was someone known the Noguez-Tapia.

Noguez-Tapia was taken into custody Thursday at his home and booked at the Benton County Jail.

Anyone with additional information about the case is encouraged to contact the Kennewick Police Department.