On December 31, 2025, Santa Ana Area CHP units received a call of a female pedestrian waving down traffic on I-5 northbound near 17th Street in the city of Santa Ana.
After CHP officers contacted the pedestrian, it was determined she was a victim of a s*xual assault.
Members of the Santa Ana Area’s Special Enforcement Team (S.E.T.) immediately began conducting investigative follow-up to identify the suspect.
Based on evidence obtained on scene, the suspect was immediately recognized and identified by CHP officers. The suspect was a transient who is known to frequent the area and has been arrested multiple times by CHP officers.
On January 5, 2025, at approximately 1440 hours, a Ramey Warrant was obtained to arrest the suspect for felony r*pe and other related s*xual assault charges.
The Santa Ana Area’s S.E.T. canvassed the area in search of the suspect. Approximately 20 minutes later, the suspect was located on 17th Street and Spurgeon Street in the city of Santa Ana and was taken into custody without incident.
While the suspect was not identified you can review the SAPD’s jail arrest log here.
Potential Criminal Penalties
- Imprisonment: Felony r*pe in California is typically punishable by 3, 6, or 8 years in state prison. If the victim sustained “great bodily injury,” the sentence can be increased by an additional 3 to 5 years.
- S*x Offender Registration: A conviction for r*pe or related felony s*xual assault requires mandatory lifetime registration as a s*x offender under Penal Code 290.
- Fines: The court may impose fines of up to $10,000 for each felony count.
- Three Strikes Law: A conviction for felony r*pe counts as a “strike” on the suspect’s criminal record. Given the suspect has been “arrested multiple times,” prior strike convictions could lead to a doubled sentence or 25 years to life in prison if this is a third strike.
- Mandatory Time Served: Because r*pe is classified as a violent felony, the suspect would be required to serve at least 85% of their sentence before being eligible for release.
Related Legal Consequences
- Parole: Upon release, the suspect will face strict parole supervision, which may include GPS tracking and residency restrictions.
- Immigration Status: For non-citizens, a conviction for a crime of moral turpitude such as r*pe can result in mandatory deportation or denial of re-entry to the U.S.