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Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Tag Archives: Sex Crimes

Former Santa Ana teacher arrested for child molestation

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD 1 Comment

Robert Ornelas, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, NEWS

Contacts: Jim Amormino, (714) 647-7042; Gail Krause, (714) 647-1840

Former Santa Ana Teacher Suspected of Child Molestation

SANTA ANA, California – (June 13, 2013) – On Tuesday, June 11 at approximately 11:00 a.m., members of the Orange County Child Exploitation Task Force (OCCETF) arrested Robert Ornelas, 62, of Santa Ana for child molestation of a female, 12 years or younger, from 1990 to 1995. He is currently in custody at the Orange County Jail with bail set at $1,000,000. Continue reading→

Man busted by the SAPD to be arraigned for sex trafficking and pimping

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

OCDA Seal

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 13CF0801: June 3, 2013

MAN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR SEX TRAFFICKING OF FEMALE VICTIM AND PIMPING HER AND TWO OTHERS AFTER POSTING AD ON SEX WEBSITE

*Defendant was arrested in undercover sting operation

SANTA ANA – A man arrested in an undercover sting operation will be arraigned tomorrow for sexually trafficking one woman and pimping three women for financial gain after advertising the victims on a sex website. Harvey Rashad McNight, 29, San Diego, is charged with one felony count of human trafficking, three felony counts of pimping, and three felony counts of pandering by procuring. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 28 years in state prison. McNight is being held on $150,000 bail and is scheduled for a post-preliminary hearing arraignment tomorrow, Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-5, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Garden Grove woman convicted of torturing her husband and severing his penis

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Santa Ana, Vietnamese Leave a comment

Catherine Kieu, 50, Garden Grove

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 11ZF0127: April 29, 2013

WOMAN CONVICTED OF TORTURING MAN, WITH WHOM SHE HAD A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP, BY CUTTING OFF HIS PENIS AFTER TYING HIM TO BED

SANTA ANA – A woman was convicted today of torturing a man, with whom she had a romantic relationship, by cutting off his penis after tying him to his bed following an argument. Catherine Kieu, 50, Garden Grove, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of torture, one felony count of aggravated mayhem, and a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a knife. She faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison with the possibility of parole at her sentencing June 28, 2013, in Department C-30, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man gets 61 years to life for impregnating an 11-year old relative

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Mariano Antonio Castro

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 11CF1301: April 26, 2013

MAN SENTENCED TO 61 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR IMPREGNATING 11-YEAR-OLD FEMALE RELATIVE AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING HER FOR NINE YEARS

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today to 61 years to life in state prison for sexually abusing a female relative for nine years and impregnating her at the age of 11. Mariano Antonio Castro, 58, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury Feb. 13, 2013, of two felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14, three felony counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14, one felony count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and sentencing enhancement allegations for substantial sexual conduct with a child and inflicting great bodily injury were found true. Continue reading→

Garden Grove woman faces trial for cutting her husband’s penis off

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, Orange County, Santa Ana, Vietnamese 4 Comments

Catherine Kieu, 50, Garden Grove

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 11ZF0127: April 16, 2013

WOMAN FACES TRIAL FOR TORTURING MAN, WITH WHOM SHE HAD A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP, BY CUTTING OFF HIS PENIS AFTER TYING HIM TO BED

SANTA ANA – A woman faces trial tomorrow for torturing a man, with whom she had a romantic relationship, by cutting off his penis after tying him to his bed following an argument. Catherine Kieu, 50, Garden Grove, is charged with one felony count of torture, one felony count of aggravated mayhem, and a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a knife. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison with the possibility of parole. Opening statements are expected to begin tomorrow, Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. in Department C-30, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Santa Ana boxing coach gets 2 years in prison for sex assaults on boys

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Santa Ana 6 Comments

Anthony Serrano

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 12CF2119: March 29, 2013

BOXING COACH SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TWO 14-YEAR-OLD BOYS IN HIS SANTA ANA HOME

SANTA ANA – A boxing coach was convicted and sentenced today to two years in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration for sexually assaulting two 14-year-old boys, whom he met through a Santa Ana boxing club. Anthony Serrano, 45, Santa Ana, pleaded guilty to the court to four felony counts of lewd acts on a child. The defendant was facing a maximum sentence of five years in state prison.

At the time of the crimes, Serrano worked as a boxing coach at Santa Ana Boxing Club. Serrano met both of his victims through the boxing club. Continue reading→

SAPD arrest juvenile suspect from attempted rape on Jan. 20

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santa ana sexual predator suspect

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: Police arrest juvenile suspect from January 20th attempted rape

UPDATE: Today, Santa Ana Family Crimes Detectives arrested a 17-year-old male in connection with an attempt rape occurring on January 20th, 2013. After analyzing DNA evidence from items which fell to the ground during the confrontation between the victim’s daughter and the suspect, detectives learned the identity of the suspect’s acquaintance. That acquaintance, also a juvenile, led detectives to the suspect. In the interview with detectives, the juvenile made incriminating statements. Continue reading→

Hugo Godinez, Santa Ana sex offender, convicted for violating probation

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Hugo Godinez

Tony Rackauckas, Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 09CM11069, 11CM12772: March 26, 2013

REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER CONVICTED OF SEXUAL BATTERY AND FAILING TO REGISTER SENTENCED TO 197 DAYS IN JAIL FOR PROBATION VIOLATIONS

*Defendant has a pending case in the Courts of Appeal for a conviction for being a sex offender in a County park

SANTA ANA – A registered sex offender convicted of sexual battery and failing to register, and who has a pending case in the Courts of Appeal for violating the County ordinance barring registered sex offenders from entering County parks, was sentenced for violating his probation. Hugo Godinez, 30, Santa Ana, was sentenced March 21, 2013, at an arraignment on probation violations. The defendant admitted to the violations and was sentenced to 197 days in jail by the Honorable Peter Wilson. Continue reading→

Foster mom to be arraigned for being an accessory to the rape of her kids

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Women 1 Comment

Maria Esther Hernandez

Santa Ana Police Department & Orange County District Attorney Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Case # 13CF0803, 13CF0322: March 13, 2013

FOSTER MOTHER TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR BEING AN ACCESSORY TO HUSBAND’S RAPE OF A CHILD UNDER THEIR CARE

SANTA ANA – A foster mother will be arraigned tomorrow for being an accessory to her husband’s rape of a child under their care. Maria Esther Hernandez, 59, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of accessory after the fact. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of three years in state prison. She is being held on $20,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Thursday, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Costa Mesa man convicted for exposing himself to girls at S.A. High Schools

Posted on by Posted in Costa Mesa, Courts, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

Alfredo Landaverde

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 13CM00344: March 11, 2013

MAN CONVICTED OF EXPOSING HIMSELF TO YOUNG GIRLS NEAR HIGH SCHOOLS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted and sentenced today for exposing himself to young girls in public on multiple occasions near two high schools. Alfredo Landaverde, 48, Costa Mesa, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure and five misdemeanor counts of child annoyance. Landaverde was sentenced to one year in jail, five years formal probation, and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. Continue reading→

Santa Ana foster dad charged with raping girls he later adopted

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Felipe Hernandez

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 13CF0322: March 7, 2013
Contacts:
Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff, Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718
Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

FOSTER PARENT CHARGED WITH RAPING, MOLESTING, AND ABUSING THREE GIRLS AGES 9, 11, AND 15 UNDER HIS CARE

SANTA ANA – A foster parent has been charged with raping, molesting, and abusing three girls when they were 9, 11, and 15 years old. Felipe Hernandez, 66, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of aggravated sexual assault, one felony count of forcible lewd act on a child under 14 years old, three felony counts of lewd act upon a child under 14 years old, two felony counts of lewd act upon a child, one felony count of unlawful sexual intercourse, one felony count of oral copulation of a minor, one felony count of sexual penetration by foreign object of minor, one felony count of possession and control of child pornography, and one misdemeanor count of sexual battery with sentencing enhancement allegations for multiple victims and substantial sexual conduct with a child. Continue reading→

Santa Ana Political Chismes – Special Bustamante edition

Posted on by Posted in Angelica Amezcua, Carlos Bustamante, Carlos Rojas, Civic Affairs, Crime, David Benavides, Food, Kevin O'Rourke, Michele Martinez, Planning, Politics, Public Safety, Safety, Santa Ana 18 Comments

David Benavides and Carlos Bustamante

There is so much going on today in Santa Ana that I chose to report it all in our infamous Political Chismes format, rather than post several articles.  Here we go!

  • Bad news for Busty.  Today was a bad day for former Santa Ana City Councilman Carlos Bustamante, as a “judge refused to dismiss a number of felony sex crime charges against him,” according to the O.C. Register.  Bustamante is accused of sexually assaulting seven women he worked with in his former job in the county’s Public Works Department. The judge also denied a motion to have the Orange County District Attorney’s Office taken off the case.  Bustamante worked to elect his former colleague, David Benavides, in last year’s Santa Ana Mayoral race.  Luckily Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido prevailed.  Will Benavides commisserate with Bustamante tonight?  Stop by Chapter One, in Downtown Santa Ana, and see if they show up.  Be sure to send us any pictures you get of these two tossing them down! Continue reading→

Santa Ana man sentenced for sexually assaulting 2 women and a 12-year-old

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Women 1 Comment

Leonel Santana Cervantes

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 11CF3116: February 19, 2013
Contacts: Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff, Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718; Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS IN PRISON FOR VICTIMIZING TWO WOMEN AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO LIVED IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced to 10 years and eight months in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration today for victimizing two women and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl, who all lived on the same street in Santa Ana. Leonel Santana Cervantes, 44, Santa Ana, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of first degree residential burglary of an inhabited dwelling, one felony count of lewd acts on a child under 14, and one misdemeanor count of peeking. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man convicted of impregnating his 11-year old stepdaughter

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Mariano Antonio Castro

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release: Case # 11CF1031, February 14, 2013
Contacts: Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff, Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718; Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

MAN CONVICTED OF IMPREGNATING 11-YEAR-OLD FEMALE RELATIVE AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING HER FOR NINE YEARS

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted yesterday of sexually abusing a female relative for nine years and impregnating her at the age of 11. Mariano Antonio Castro, 58, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury Feb. 13, 2013, of two felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14, three felony counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14, one felony count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and sentencing enhancement allegations for substantial sexual conduct with a child and inflicting great bodily injury were found true. He faces a maximum sentence of 78 years to life in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration at his sentencing April 26, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-28, Central Jail, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

SAPD seeks more victims of man who exposed himself by schools

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Contact: Sgt. Manuel Chavez – Public Information Officer, Santa Ana Unified School District, City of Santa Ana, Office:714-558-5535, Cell:714-309-7674
Contact: Cpl. Anthony Bertagna -Public Information Officer Santa Ana Police Department, Office: 714-245-8029, Cell: 714-709-2043

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: LAW ENFORCEMENT IS SEEKING THE PUBLIC’S HELP IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL VICTIMS OF A COSTA MESA MAN ARRESTED AND CHARGED FOR INDECENT EXPOSURE NEAR SCHOOLS

SANTA ANA – On Friday, December 7, 2012 at approximately 7:55 AM, a Santa Ana School Police Officer saw a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle wanted in connection with a series of indecent exposure incidents near schools. Continue reading→