Navy recruiter charged with home invasion, stabbing 11-year-old girl

A 24-year-old Navy recruiter is on trial on charges that he broke into a Michigan home, stabbed an 11-year-old girl and said he intended to “kill everyone inside.”

Corporal Ricardo Perez Castillo waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday, which moves his case involving felony charges of assault with intent to murder, first-degree home invasion, assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct and carrying a weapon with unlawful intent to 17th Circuit Court in Kent County, Michigan, for potential trial.

Prosecutors allege, based on witness testimony and a police investigation, that Castillo entered a home in the River Bluffs community of Rockford, Michigan, around 3 a.m. on June 15, stripped to his underwear and his shirt, took a knife from the kitchen and stabbed him. an 11-year-old girl who was friends with a girl who lived at the residence, FOX 17 West Michigan reported.

Castillo stopped stabbing the girl when she and her friend started screaming. He was held at gunpoint by the owner until police arrived. She suffered injuries to her left arm and shoulder and was treated at a local hospital.

Kent County sheriff's deputies found Castillo in the girl's bedroom with a bloody knife next to him, according to court documents reported by local ABC affiliate Channel 13 and local NBC affiliate Channel 8 WoodTV.

“The video shows Ricardo (Castillo) entering the (River Bluffs) residence and removing his shoes, socks and pants,” according to the arrest report, ABC affiliate Channel 13 reported. “Ricardo (Castillo), wearing only his underwear and T-shirt, grabbed a knife from the kitchen drawer and went upstairs.

According to the report, Castillo's intention was to enter the home and kill the entire family.

“Ricardo (Castillo) stated that he tried the first two bedroom doors but they were locked,” the report states. “Ricardo then opened the master bedroom door and found (the owner) and his wife asleep.”

He decided to look for an “easier target,” the report said.

“Ricardo (Castillo) then entered the room where (the girl) was sleeping,” the officer wrote. “Ricardo told investigators he intended to kill her and have sexual intercourse with her body.”

But that house wasn't his first stop that night.

About an hour before Castillo entered the River Bluffs, Michigan, home, a neighboring homeowner was cleaning his house after a dinner party and went to the back of the house to bring items inside. his terrace when he saw a stranger near his kitchen sink.

He asked the man, who police later identified as Castillo, who he was, why he was in his house and to leave.

The man said Castillo walked toward the door but stopped and said, “‘I don’t even know (expletive) what’s going on, but just in case, be careful. Make sure you’re armed.’ At that point, I slammed the door and called the police,” Channel 8 Wood TV reported.

Castillo was arrested on criminal charges and is being held in the Kent County, Michigan jail on $2 million bail.

“This case is as scary as it gets, as horrific as it gets, and it puts all of us in a fear zone like no other,” District Judge Sara J. Smolenski said during her hearing.

Castillo, originally from Waterford, Michigan, more than two hours away, has been a canvassing recruiter at Navy Recruiting Station Lansing since October 2023.

He holds a primary military occupational specialty of infantry and previously served with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Marine Chief Warrant Officer 3 Bobby Yarbrough, a Marine spokesman, told Marine Corps Times in an email response Thursday.

Police told local media that Castillo had been drinking alcohol earlier in the evening and was seen in downtown Rockford, Michigan, more than a mile from the home.

Navy officials were not aware of any disciplinary action against the corporal and Michigan police found no prior criminal convictions against Castillo in the state, according to local media.

The Marine Corps declined to comment on the matter and issued a statement to the media.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that has occurred. The case is currently being adjudicated in the Michigan court system, and it would be inappropriate to comment on the specifics of the case at this time. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

Police told local media that the act currently appears to be “completely random” and that they have found no connection between Castillo and the individuals present in the residence.