Lottery Immigrant Accused of Gunpoint Rape

A violent criminal with a lengthy record of domestic abuse and weapon possession, admitted through the diversity visa lottery, allegedly broke into a Nashville apartment and sexually assaulted a sleeping 16-year-old girl at gunpoint on New Year’s Eve—underscoring the catastrophic failures of past immigration vetting policies that put American children in harm’s way.

Story Highlights

Mena Mohsen Farez Nmn Awad, 31, an Egyptian national, faces charges of aggravated rape with a weapon, aggravated assault, and aggravated burglary after allegedly assaulting a teenage girl in her Nashville home
ICE lodged a detainer against Awad, who entered the U.S. in 2017 through the diversity visa lottery program despite accumulating prior charges including domestic violence, weapon possession, and vehicle theft
Secretary Noem paused the diversity lottery program following the incident, with DHS officials condemning immigration policies that allowed this dangerous individual into American communities
The victim managed to escape after the alleged armed assault, leading to Awad’s apprehension in Louisville and subsequent extradition to Tennessee

Armed Assault on Sleeping Teen Sparks National Outrage

Mena Mohsen Farez Nmn Awad stands accused of breaking into a Nashville apartment on New Year’s Eve 2026 and sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl while she slept. According to law enforcement, Awad had a handgun in his waistband during the attack. The victim escaped and contacted authorities, triggering a multi-state manhunt. Nashville police charged the 31-year-old Egyptian national with aggravated rape with a weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and aggravated burglary. Awad was apprehended January 16 in Louisville, Kentucky, then extradited to Tennessee to face prosecution for these heinous crimes against a minor.

Diversity Lottery Brought Violent Criminal to America

Awad entered the United States in 2017 through the Diversity Visa program, a lottery system designed to increase immigration from countries with historically low rates of U.S. migration. The Department of Homeland Security revealed Awad accumulated a documented history of violence since his arrival, including prior charges for domestic violence, intimidation, possession of a weapon, violation of a court order, and vehicle theft. This criminal pattern raises fundamental questions about vetting procedures that allowed a dangerous individual to remain in American communities for years. The diversity lottery, criticized by immigration hawks for prioritizing randomness over merit or safety screening, brought this alleged predator into contact with innocent families.

ICE Takes Custody as Policy Changes Announced

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an arrest detainer against Awad on January 24, 2026, ensuring he cannot be released from criminal custody without federal immigration authorities taking control. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a scathing statement condemning the immigration policies that facilitated this tragedy: “Horrendous immigration policies allowed this monster into our country and made victims of children and families.” Secretary Noem responded by pausing the diversity lottery program entirely, preventing additional unchecked entries while the administration reviews vetting failures. This decisive action represents a clear break from previous policies that prioritized diversity over security, leaving American families vulnerable to criminals who should never have received visas.

Victim Safety and Community Protection

The 16-year-old victim and her family now face the trauma of this violent crime while Nashville residents grapple with the reality that inadequate immigration controls exposed their community to preventable danger. The suspect’s lengthy criminal history, accumulated over nearly nine years in America, demonstrates systemic failure to remove violent offenders before they escalate to more serious crimes. This case illustrates the consequences when immigration enforcement becomes politicized rather than focused on protecting citizens. Awad remains in custody facing both state criminal prosecution and federal immigration proceedings that should result in permanent removal from the United States, preventing any future harm to American families.