The Berks County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday that Rafael Vendrell, age 75 of Reading, is back in Berks County and facing new charges after failing to appear for a scheduled sentencing in February 2024.
On November 13, 2023, the defendant entered a Nolo Contendere (no contest) plea in the Berks County Court of Common Pleas to two counts of Aggravated Indecent Assault relative to his involvement in the sexual abuse of an autistic juvenile. After entering this plea, the defendant remained free on bail pending his sentencing which was scheduled for February 14, 2024. On February 14, 2024, the defendant failed to appear for his scheduled sentencing. A bench warrant was then issued for the defendant.
According to the Berks County District Attorney’s office, on January 21, 2025, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office was notified that the defendant had been apprehended in the Dominican Republic. The defendant has since been extradited to Florida, where he was being held pending his return to Berks County.
On February 6, 2025, members of the Berks County Sheriff’s Department traveled to Florida and returned the defendant to Berks County.
The Berks County Detectives charged the defendant with the criminal charge of Flight to Avoid Apprehension, Trial, or Punishment. The defendant will be arraigned on this new charge and will also appear before the Court of Common Pleas to be sentenced on the original criminal offense.
The initial investigation of this child sexual abuse was conducted by the Reading Police Department.
A Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.