Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez… that's a name you haven't heard in the news for almost 5 months now. Well, the PUP Area Representative for Orange Walk East – who is accused of child molestation, is back in the news tonight after he returned to the Orange Magistrate's Court today. He was expecting a routine adjournment, where the police prosecutor normally asks the Magistrate for an adjournment while the investigators gather their evidence for disclosure. But he and his attorney were blind-sided at the preliminary inquiry when the prosecution asked the court to withdraw the 6 counts of aggravated assault of an incident nature against Mendez, and then… they requested for him to be arraigned on 3 counts of carnal knowledge – a far more serious offence.

Now, Dr. Mendez has maintained his innocence ever since these allegations emerged against him. Police say that the two female children accused him of touching them inappropriately, but now, police are saying that he did more than that. Investigators are now saying that there is evidence that he had sex with these minors.

On the spectrum sexual offences, carnal knowledge is one of the more serious crimes, and while he may have had a defence that the girls misjudged an innocent touch for sexual intent, that's no longer available to him. According to police, there is no doubt, based on the reports, that he allegedly had sexual relations with these children.

Today, our colleagues from CTV3 News spoke with Mendez and his attorney about the implications of his impending criminal prosecution in a trial which surely has to go to the Supreme Court to run its course. Here's what they had to say coming out of court today:

Andrew Bennett - Attorney for Marco Tulio Mendez

"We were to return for preliminary inquiry into this matter. We learnt this morning that additional charges were preferred against Dr. Mendez; which is the charge of carnal knowledge. At this point, he's still before the court and there is still a preliminary inquiry to held. And so we are return on the 27th of October in relation to the entire charges."

Reporter

"So that's additional charges on your client. How does that affect your case?"

Andrew Bennett - Attorney for Marco Tulio Mendez

"Well it just means that we have another charge to really traverse through the courts."

Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez - Charged with Carnal Knowledge

"I've never been going through this constantly right now. They still haven't reached what optimum charges they are going to lay on me; and I'm surprised of it. Of course as I have told you, I am going to prove my innocence in the courts of law."

Reporter

"Sir your political career, no matter what all good you've done; may be irreparably damaged. Do you concede to that?"

Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez - Charged with Carnal Knowledge

"Well that is not something to discuss right now. What is important is that I defend myself; my innocence in the court of law. That is what is important."

Reporter

"The matter is in court of public opinion too sir."

Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez - Charged with Carnal Knowledge

"I mean it is in the court of law where I am going to defend myself; my innocence, that is where I am going to defend myself."

Reporter

"Were you surprised that this additional charges thrown at you?"

Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez - Charged with Carnal Knowledge

"I was totally surprised. Totally surprised."

Reporter

"How has these allegations affected your life personally and professionally during the last few months?"

Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez - Charged with Carnal Knowledge

"It has been terrible; but I have been able to cope and of course I have to just be sure that it is there that I am going to prove myself and that this will be over. This will be over."

Reporter

"Sir with these additional charges, I have to ask you sir."

Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez - Charged with Carnal Knowledge

"Gracias." Walks away.....

We spoke with Mendez's attorney, Andrew Bennett, via phone today and he told us that after the Magistrate read Mendez the new criminal charges, the police prosecutor tried to convince the court to revoke his bail based on the seriousness of the charges.

Bennett told us that he had to make submissions to the Magistrate why that shouldn't be the course of actions to be taken, and after consideration, the Magistrate decided that he should remain on bail. He returns to court on October 27.

Mendez is a sitting area representative and remains a member of the House of Representatives. He will not run for office again in Orange Walk East – and has been replaced by a new candidate.