SAN ANTONIO – A case involving a deputy accused of sexually assaulting a 4-year-old child left Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar stunned.

Investigators believe the deputy, Jose Nunez, blackmailed the girl's mother. Nunez is believed to have threatened deporting the mother if she ever reported him to authorities.　

After months of abuse, the undocumented mother eventually turned him in. The sheriff said this case is just one more reason why undocumented immigrants are growing more fearful.

"I knew this was going to happen," Sheriff Salazar said.

Salazar believes passing Senate Bill 4, known as the Sanctuary Cities bill, which allows local law enforcement to ask about immigration status, inadvertently gives perpetrators power. He said the law causes confusion among undocumented victims and witnesses of crimes.

"The critics of it said well that's not going to happen, we're talking about a supposed situation. Well here not only did it happen, but it was somebody that wears this uniform," said Sheriff Salazar.　　

In the last few months the sheriff said he has had to work to ensure the public knows what SB4 is and hopes immigrants won't fear coming forward.

"It simply prohibits me as the head of an agency from prohibiting my officers from asking that question. What it doesn't do. It doesn't command any officers to ask that question," Salazar said. "As a local law enforcement officer, I'm still not allowed to arrest or detain anyone based solely upon on immigration status."　

Salazar said the department can help keep them safe.

"Make sure she's able to obtain a work permit, make sure she's able to be here and available to us as we proceed the case, but also the protections are there for her as she goes through her daily life. At the conclusion of the case she's actually eligible to apply for a visa," Salazar said. 　

Each year, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Office grants 10,000 U.S. visas set aside for victims of certain crimes. The sheriff said the numbers are proof that undocumented immigrants can become victims too. The biggest challenge now is making sure everyone understands their rights.