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Omaha Man Swipes Virgin Mary Painting for Abortion

Rapist sells $100K artwork in Mexico

By Neal Colgrass, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 22, 2009 5:07 PM CDT

(Newser) – An Omaha man stole a painting of the Virgin Mary to pay for the abortion of his teenage rape victim, the Omaha World-Herald reports. Aurelio Vallecillo-Sanchez, 39, described by his attorney as "remorseful and ashamed," pleaded no contest yesterday to charges of theft and sexual assault and faces up to 70 years in prison. Prosecutors say he stole The Virgin Immaculata from an Omaha cathedral to fund an abortion in Mexico.

Selling the $100,000 artwork for $3,000, Vallecillo-Sanchez dragged his 14-year-old victim to a doctor—where she refused an abortion because her baby was too far along. Ensuring her silence with threats, Vallecillo-Sanchez took a vacation, at which point the girl's family went to police. Prosecutors say he has stolen other pieces of religious art from area churches. “I would liken him to the worst,” a prosecuting attorney said.

[Images (1)]

[Quotes (1)]

Aurelio Vallecillo-Sanchez, 39, pleaded no contest to theft and sexual assault yesterday and faces a sentence of up to 70 years. (Police photo)

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He threatened to beat her so badly that her mom would not be able to recognize her. - Chief Deputy Douglas County
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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 6 comments

LiberalJesus

Aug 24, 2009 12:47 PM CDT

You ignorat people who would even try to tie this to the President are just as sick as this person. Your hatred for the President comes shining through. How you made the leap from a convicted rapist to the President is beyond stupid....you're just too stupid for words!

LiberalJesus

Aug 24, 2009 12:44 PM CDT

You cant kill people if they didnt kill someone. Even though the death penalty predomininately cuts one way, against the poor and minorities, I grudgingly accept it when the case is open and shut and is so horrific that anything less would seem as a slap on the wrist. On the other hand if you're going to support killing criminals who didnt kill someone why stop there...why not just junk the whole system of fair and equatible justice, trial by a jury of our peers, the need for concrete proof and allow the cops the full power to kill anyone....speeding, bullet through the head, littering, bullet through the head....see how stupid your comment looks now blusky09. This is where religion gets hairy. One the one hand you nutbags believe in the Old Testament as gospel with all the killing and revenge that goes on but when you jump over to the New Testament its all about forgiving. So what kind of christian are you? Fire, brimstone and death of the old book or peace, love and forgiving of the book of Jesus....hard call isnt it. Raping is a horrible crime but killing someone who didnt kill anyone is just plain stupid, short sighted and against the teachings of Christ.

Snarfeh

Aug 24, 2009 4:25 AM CDT

There is absolutely no provision whatsoever in the health proposal for illegal aliens. You are both ignorant.

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Crime & Courts • Health • Lifestyle • US

abortion • theft • Omaha • rape • Virgin Mary

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Omaha Man Swipes Virgin Mary Painting for Abortion