6-year-old sexually assaulted at gym

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A 6-year-old girl was sexually assaulted Tuesday in the play room of a popular gym in Albuquerque while her mother worked out nearby in another room.

Police have arrested Juan Gonzalez, 20, an illegal immigrant, at the Midtown Sports & Wellness after he took a shower to wash away evidence of the crime. Gonzalez and a staff member had earlier helped the girl fix a video game a few minutes earlier. Gonzalez returned to the room a short time later.

"The most horrific thing you could imagine a child could go through," Albuquerque Deputy Chief Beth Paiz said. "He held his hand over her mouth so she couldn't scream. He could hear the child say 'Stop! Stop! Stop!'"

After the sexual assault, the 6-year-old came out of the room crying and told a staff member what happened.

"He admitted, 'I have a problem touching children.'" Paiz said.

Gonzalez is a member of the gym and his mother works nights at the gym as a janitor.  Police say Immigration Customs Enforcement will like get involved as the Gonzalez case moves forward.  Members outside the gym on Wednesday were shocked to hear about the incident.