Suspect identified in three separate assaults across Kent County taken into custody

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Fernando Vasquez-Pena, 23, was taken into police custody on April 21, 2026, after being identified as the suspect in multiple sexual assault cases across Kent County.

The arrest came less than 48 hours after law enforcement agencies posted a $2,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. The Kent County Sheriff's Office, Grand Rapids Police Department and Kent County Prosecutor's Office made a joint call to the public to help locate Vasquez-Pena.

Three separate cases tied to one suspect

Court documents show Vasquez-Pena is connected to three separate criminal incidents spanning two jurisdictions in Kent County.

January 2025: Caledonia Township

In January 2025, Kent County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a domestic assault call in Caledonia Township. Court records state the victim and Vasquez-Pena had been dating on and off since September 2024 and were attempting to reconcile their relationship.

During an argument over messages the victim was sending to other men, she told deputies that Vasquez-Pena threatened to distribute intimate videos of them together. At the time of the incident, the victim was 17 years old and Vasquez-Pena was 22.

Deputies found sexually explicit material in Vasquez-Pena's phone and determined he had sent videos showing the couple engaged in sexual activities to one of the victim's friends without her consent.

Two felony charges were filed in September 2025 related to this incident:

• Child Sexually Abusive Activity – distributing or promoting, a seven-year felony
• Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, a one-year felony

Vasquez-Pena was released after posting a $5,000 bond at 10 percent. His case was bound over to Kent County Circuit Court in September 2025. He failed to report to court services in December 2025, and a bench warrant was issued.

March 2025: Byron Township

In March 2025, Kent County Sheriff's deputies responded to a criminal sexual conduct complaint in Byron Township for an incident that occurred the night before.

A 71-year-old victim told deputies that Vasquez-Pena, a relative's ex-boyfriend, showed up to her house around 10:30 p.m. When the victim opened the door slightly to speak with him, Vasquez-Pena forced his way inside without permission.

According to court records, the victim fell against a wall and Vasquez-Pena allegedly became physical with her, causing her to fall to the floor. She told deputies Vasquez-Pena got on top of her, saying she was receiving threats against his family and needed to make things even.

While in another room away from any windows, court documents claim Vasquez-Pena raped her against her will and did not use contraception.

Shortly after midnight, the victim said Vasquez-Pena left her house and walked away. She reported head pain, right hand pain, a scratch on her left knee and small cuts on her nose.

Court records state Vasquez-Pena never lived at the address and did not have permission to enter the home. A warrant was authorized in October 2025 for two charges:

• First-degree criminal sexual conduct with personal injury, a life offense
• First-degree home invasion, a 20-year felony

March 2026: Grand Rapids

In March 2026, the Grand Rapids Police Department responded to a sexual assault complaint. A 60-year-old victim told officers she was sexually assaulted by her neighbor, Vasquez-Pena.

According to court documents, earlier in the day Vasquez-Pena told the victim his toilet was not working and asked if he could use hers until it was fixed. She agreed and left the door unlocked.

Later that day, Vasquez-Pena entered the woman's residence armed with a knife. He allegedly grabbed the victim in a headlock, still with the knife, and told her to do what he said.

Court documents claim he then directed her into her bedroom where he allegedly raped her while still armed with the knife. He allegedly ordered her to the living room, positioning himself between her and the door.

He took her phone to prevent her from calling for help. After three hours, the victim said he left through the front door. She was able to identify him in a photo lineup, saying Vasquez-Pena was the man who assaulted and raped her without any doubt.

The victim reported cuts to her fingers, bruises on her face and injuries to her genitalia. A warrant felony signed on April 2 charged Vasquez-Pena with:

• Two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a weapon used
• One count of unlawful imprisonment, a 15-year felony

Joint investigation and arrest

As the Grand Rapids Police Department investigated the March 2026 case, they discovered Vasquez-Pena was already being investigated by the Kent County Sheriff's Office for the March 2025 case.

On April 20, 2026, the Kent County Sheriff's Office, Grand Rapids Police Department and Kent County Prosecutor's Office made a joint public appeal for help locating Vasquez-Pena.

During his arrest the next day, Vasquez-Pena was charged with assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer, a two-year felony.

Arrest details

Court documents detail how Grand Rapids Police were called to a local shelter for a report of a possible wanted subject on the property. An anonymous caller reported Vasquez-Pena, wearing all black, was at the location.

An officer saw a man matching the description walk through the building's back door. When an officer approached a man wearing a black ski mask in the lobby who looked similar, he was taken into custody.

Community impact

Grand Rapids Interim Police Chief Joe Trigg said the collaborative efforts between agencies were crucial for keeping communities safe and helping victims receive justice.

"I know the police have done everything in their power to try to find this individual, but even with all their resources they have been unable to locate him," said Prosecutor Chris Becker. "We are really hoping members of the public can help out here; these are extremely serious charges, more than one person has been victimized, and we don't want to see anything happen to someone else."

Anyone with information on Vasquez-Pena can contact the Kent County Sheriff's Office at 616-632-6100 or the Grand Rapids Police Department at 616-456-3380. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.

Victim resources

The YWCA West Central Michigan offers a 24/7 crisis line at ywcawcmi.org. RAINN also provides resources at rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/.

"Having good communication and information sharing between law enforcement agencies is important for the safety of all our communities," said Grand Rapids Interim Police Chief Joe Trigg. "It becomes imperative when we have the same suspect tied to similar crimes in different jurisdictions."