CEDAR BLUFF– A Texas man charged with first-degree rape and first-degree sexual abuse was unlawfully present in the United States, according to authorities.

The Cedar Bluff Police Department identified the suspect as 39-year-old Sudip Hamal of Corsicana, Texas. Police began investigating after responding to an incident at the Cedar Bluff Subway on Monday, July 13.

During the investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed Hamal was unlawfully present in the country. Officers initially took him into custody on an immigration-related matter.

Cedar Bluff Police investigators continued working on the case. Police said investigators later developed probable cause to charge Hamal with first-degree rape and first-degree sexual abuse.

Investigators obtained the warrants on Thursday, July 16. At the time, Hamal remained in custody at the Etowah County Detention Center.

Authorities later transferred Hamal to the Cherokee County Jail. He remains there while awaiting an Aniah’s Law hearing.

“Protecting the safety of our community and seeking justice for victims remains the highest priority of the Cedar Bluff Police Department,” Police Chief Jeremy Stepps said.

Stepps thanked ICE and the JSU Center for Applied Forensics for assisting with the investigation. He also said investigators worked diligently to ensure authorities filed the appropriate criminal charges.

The department plans to continue working with the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office as the case proceeds through the judicial system.

Police said they will not release additional information about the victim or details of the investigation at this time. The department cited the active case, the victim’s privacy, and the need to protect the investigation’s integrity.