Fri. Sep 5th, 2025

Police officers responded to the area of Greenville Street and Warner Avenue after a woman reported she had been kidnapped and r*ped the night prior, according to the SAPD.

The victim, a 48-year-old woman, told police she had arranged to meet with the known suspect, later identified as Nelson Rivera Valle (37) of Los Angeles.

When the victim and suspect met at a motel, a verbal altercation ensued, during which the suspect physically and s*xually assaulted the victim, causing significant injuries.

Today, September 4, 2025, Special Crimes Section conducted follow-up and located Rivera Valle at his residence in Los Angeles.

He was taken into custody and booked at the Santa Ana Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and multiple s*xual assault-related offenses. His bail was set at $1,000,000.

SAPD detectives believe there could be additional victims or witnesses to this incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective M. Thomas at 714-245-8346, mthomas@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

Nelson Rivera Valle, the suspect arrested in Santa Ana, faces serious legal consequences under California law for assault with a deadly weapon and multiple sexual assault-related offenses. Here’s a plain-language breakdown of what those charges typically mean:


Assault with a Deadly Weapon (ADW) – California Penal Code § 245(a)(1)

This charge applies when someone attacks or attempts to attack another person using a weapon capable of causing death or serious injury. The weapon doesn’t have to be a gun or knife—it can be any object used in a harmful way, like a bottle, bat, or even a car.

  • If charged as a felony, penalties may include:
    • 2 to 4 years in state prison
    • Up to $10,000 in fines
    • A strike under California’s Three Strikes Law
    • Loss of firearm rights
    • Formal probation in limited cases
  • If charged as a misdemeanor, penalties may include:
    • Up to 1 year in county jail
    • Up to $1,000 in fines
    • Informal probation

Aggravating factors—like prior convictions or the severity of the attack—can increase the sentence.


S*xual Assault Charges

While the exact charges haven’t been listed publicly, they likely include r*pes*xual battery, and possibly aggravated s*xual assault. These are among the most serious felonies in California.

  • R*pe (Penal Code § 261):
    • 3 to 8 years in state prison
    • If the victim suffered great bodily injury, the sentence can increase significantly
    • Mandatory s*x offender registration
  • Aggravated s*xual assault (especially involving force or injury):
    • Up to life in prison, depending on the circumstances

Additional Considerations

  • Because Rivera Valle’s bail is set at $1,000,000, it indicates the court views him as a high-risk individual.
  • If convicted of multiple felonies, sentences can be stacked consecutively, meaning he could serve decades in prison.
  • If he has prior felony convictions, California’s Three Strikes Law could apply, potentially leading to 25 years to life.

By Art Pedroza

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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