Law enforcement looking for more potential victims of former bar owner suspected of rape

GRANT COUNTY, Wash. -- The former owner of the R Place Tavern in Desert Aire is in jail on a rape charge. Now detectives are looking for more alleged victims.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office says 41-year-old Isidro Cruz-Amaro is accused of raping a woman in 2021. Detectives say the woman was visiting from western Washington and became intoxicated at the tavern. It's alleged Cruz-Amaro offered to drive her home and that is where the rape occurred.

Deputies say Cruz-Amaro denied any sexual contact with the victim, but DNA evidence was found on her.

Deputies booked Cruz-Amaro into the Grant County Jail April 23. They say he was already in custody in Yakima County accused of offering two teens girls money for sex.

Due to Desert Aire having year-round residents and numerous visitors from other areas, the Grant County Sheriff's Office is asking for any information on possible other victims to contact them at 509-762-1160.

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