Afghan evacuee charged with child sex crime in New Mexico: officials

A man suspected of enticement and coercion of a minor in New Mexico came to the U.S. via the Afghan evacuation effort late last year, Fox News has learned.

Selab is alleged to have approached a 12-year-old boy at a park near a school in Las Cruces. He is said to have asked him personal questions, before using his cellphone to show the victim "photos and videos that were sexual in nature" and then inappropriately touching the youngster. Adam Shaw is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, primarily covering immigration and border security.

When the boy moved away, Selab is accused of punching him in the face multiple times. According to the complaint, the boy attempted to call 911, retreated into a restroom stall -- but was followed by Selab, who then kissed the boy, put $20 into his hand and attempted to force the victim to touch him. The boy ultimately escaped when another person arrived at the restroom. If convicted, Selab faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, officials said. He can be reached at adam.shaw2@fox.com or on Twitter.

Fox News Digital learned this week that Selab was paroled into the United States in November 2021. The office of Rep. Yvette Herrell, R-N.M., later confirmed to Fox that he was paroled and that law enforcement had verified that he was an Afghan national who was paroled in through Operation Allies Welcome.