Irvine man convicted of raping women in Irvine and in Newport Beach

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 11HF1885: March 27, 2014

MAN CONVICTED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TWO WOMEN IN IRVINE AND NEWPORT BEACH

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of sexually assaulting two women in Irvine and Newport Beach. Travis Dewayne Batten, Jr., 31, Irvine, was found guilty by a jury of two felony counts of forcible rape, one felony count each of assault with intent to commit a sexual offense, assault with intent to commit a sexual offense during the commission of first degree burglary, sodomy by force, sexual penetration by foreign object by force, and kidnapping to commit a sex offense. The sentencing enhancement allegations for committing sexual offenses during the commission of a burglary and tying up or binding a person were found true. Batten faces a maximum sentence of 120 years to life in state prison at his sentencing, May 23, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-27, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Between May 2005 and November 2006, Batten broke into the residences of two women, whom he did not know, while wearing a mask. He raped an Irvine woman and sexually assaulted a woman who lived in Newport Beach.

At approximately 9:00 p.m. on May 20, 2005, Batten, then-23, wore a mask and broke into the Newport Beach residence of 40-year-old Jane Doe #1 while she was out. When the victim arrived home, the defendant attacked her and threw Jane Doe #1 to the ground. Batten forced the victim to her bedroom and duct taped her hands and mouth. He sexually assaulted Jane Doe #1’s breasts and vagina. Batten then punched the victim twice in the head and threatened the victim by stating he would come back and get her if she contacted police. He then fled the scene. Jane Doe #1 called 911.

Newport Beach Police Department officers responded to the scene and investigated the case. Batten left DNA at the scene, which was collected by police, processed by Orange County Crime Laboratory (OCCL), and entered in the local DNA database.

At approximately 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2006, Batten wore a dark mask and broke into the Irvine apartment of 21-year-old Jane Doe #2. While the victim was showering, the defendant waited outside the victim’s bathroom. He raped Jane Doe #2 as she exited her bathroom after he threw her to the ground and tied her hands. Batten sodomized the victim and raped her a second time. Before fleeing the scene, the defendant ordered the victim to get into the shower and not contact police.

Irvine Police Department (IPD) officers investigated the case. Batten left DNA at the scene, which was processed by OCCL and entered into the local DNA database. The DNA was matched to the DNA collected in the 2005 sexual assault.

Based on the DNA, the two sexual assaults were linked to the same person. Batten was linked to the crimes as a result of further investigation and arrested July 21, 2011, while driving to Fletcher Jones Motorcars dealership in Newport Beach, where he worked as a mechanic.

Deputy District Attorney Whitney Bokosky of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.

###

Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney
401 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701

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