Panamanian Accused of Child Sex Abuse in Tennessee Arrested in Dominican Republic
A Panamanian man wanted for child sexual abuse in Tennessee was caught in the Dominican Republic after traveling through several countries.
Key points
- Fernando González Ramírez, 32, was arrested in the Dominican Republic on Monday, October 26.
- He is accused of sexual assaults against minors linked to a youth baseball program in Franklin, Tennessee.
- According to the U.S. Marshals, the suspect traveled through Mexico, Japan and Panama after learning he was under investigation.
- He was moved to New Jersey on Tuesday, October 27, and awaits transfer to Tennessee.
U.S. Authorities arrested Fernando González Ramírez, a 32-year-old Panamanian citizen wanted for alleged sexual assaults against minors in Franklin, Tennessee, in the Dominican Republic.
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, the alleged offenses occurred between 2023 and 2024, when the suspect worked with a youth baseball program that hosted young Latin American athletes. The investigation began after two minors reported being victims of sexual assault.
Investigators say González Ramírez left Tennessee after learning he was under investigation. Authorities tracked his movements through Mexico, Japan and Panama until locating him in the Dominican Republic on Monday, October 26. The information was shared with the U.S. Marshals' international office in the Dominican Republic, allowing his arrest within hours.
The baseball program organized camps for young Latin American players and helped them travel to the United States to train, according to statements from the Franklin Police Department cited by American media. Investigators are working to determine the circumstances under which the alleged abuse took place.
González Ramírez was transferred to New Jersey on Tuesday, October 27, where he awaits transfer to Tennessee to face the charges.
Why it matters
The case involves young Latin American athletes who come to the United States to play baseball, and shows cooperation between U.S. and Dominican authorities in international cases.