Belize City Man Charged in Teen Assault Case

There’s a disturbing case out of Belize City tonight, a fourteen-year-old girl says she was assaulted while shopping at a local store. Police have charged fifty-year-old construction worker Carlos Balon with sexual assault after the teen reported that he touched her inappropriately on her thigh and leg, leaving her shaken and uncomfortable. Balon appeared in court today, unrepresented, and pleaded not guilty, telling the magistrate, “No sir, I am not guilty.” He was granted bail of four thousand dollars under strict conditions, he must stay away from the victim, keep at least one hundred feet from her, and report to police every Friday. The alleged incident happened Sunday night at a store on Freedom Street. The teen immediately told the shop owner, and her mother later took her to the police station to file a formal report. Authorities say they’re taking the matter seriously as the case moves forward.