Chilhowie Man Charged With Numerous Sex Offenses

A Chilhowie man was arrested on numerous felony charges in Smyth County for allegedly having sexual relations with a 13-year-old girl at Fredericksburg's Relax Inn.

Natatia Bledsoe, police spokeswoman, said that on April 22 the King George County Sheriff's Office notified the Fredericksburg police that there was a possible sex offense that occurred in the city. An investigation found that a 13-year-old girl was picked up at her King George home on April 21 and taken to Relax Inn at 1904 Princess Anne St., where she spent the night with a man. The girl told her parents that she was staying at a friend's house but when they found out a different story, they called police.

"The victim met the suspect approximately one month ago through a mutual acquaintance, and the suspect and victim communicated by cell phone and text messages," Bledsoe said.

The suspect was already gone from the area on April 22, but police received information that he might be in Smyth County.

On April 24, Smyth County deputies arrested Jaime Hernandez, 32, of Chilhowie on the following warrants: six felony charges of carnal knowledge of a child age 13-15, two felony charges of indecent liberties with a child, one felony charge of producing/distributing child pornography, and seven misdemeanor charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Hernandez is incarcerated at the Smyth County Jail pending transfer to the Rappahannock Regional Jail.