Serial O.C. rapist gets 66 years to life in prison

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 09CF2979: December 20, 2013

MAN SENTENCED TO 66 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING FIVE FEMALES, INCLUDING RAPING TWO MINORS, AFTER GIVING THEM ALCOHOL

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today to 66 years to life in state prison for sexually assaulting five females, including raping a 14-year-old and 17-year-old girl, after giving them alcohol. Max Danilo Martinez, 33, Corona, was found guilty by a jury Aug. 5, 2013, of three felony counts of forcible rape, one felony count of sexual penetration by foreign object by force, one felony count of rape of an unconscious person, and sentencing enhancement allegations for sexual crimes against multiple victims.

The jury was unable to reach a verdict for a sixth victim, Jane Doe #5, on one felony count each of forcible rape, sexual penetration by foreign object by force, and oral copulation by force.

On May 6, 2000, Martinez picked up 14-year-old Jane Doe #1 and her friend from The Outlets at Orange and offered them a ride. He purchased alcohol for the victim and took the girls back to his apartment. The defendant drove Jane Doe #1’s friend home and returned to his apartment with the victim to continue drinking. Martinez forcibly raped the victim. Jane Doe #1 reported the crime to the Orange Police Department (OPD).

On Jan. 10, 2002, Martinez was an assistant manager at a store in the Westminster Mall. Martinez invited his co-worker, 18-year-old Jane Doe #2, to have a drink with him and other employees after their shift. Martinez purchased alcohol for the victim and met her alone in a motel room. The defendant forcibly raped the victim. The victim reported the crime to the Westminster Police Department (WPD).

On Oct. 11, 2005, Martinez drove up to 18-year-old Jane Doe #3 as she was walking on Fairview Avenue in Garden Grove. The victim recognized Martinez as a customer from the restaurant where she worked. Martinez offered the victim a ride and dropped her off at home. The next day, Martinez picked up Jane Doe #3 from work and again offered her a ride home. Martinez drove to a liquor store and bought alcohol for the victim. Martinez took the victim to a motel in Orange and gave her alcohol. The defendant digitally penetrated Jane Doe #3. The victim reported the crime to OPD.

On March 20, 2008, Martinez drove up to 17-year-old Jane Doe #4 as she was walking on 6th Street in Corona and offered to give her a ride home. Martinez drove to a liquor store to buy alcohol and mixed an alcoholic drink for the victim while they were in the car. The defendant raped the victim after she passed out. Martinez drove the victim to a vacant parking lot and dropped her off. The victim reported the crime to the Corona Police Department (CPD).

On April 22, 2008, Martinez is accused of driving up to 23-year-old Jane Doe #5, who was walking on Tustin Avenue in Orange. Martinez is accused of offering the victim a ride and driving her to a vacant business parking lot. The defendant is accused of forcibly orally copulating, digitally penetrating, and forcibly raping the victim. The victim reported the crime to OPD.

On Dec. 1, 2009, Martinez observed 24-year-old Jane Doe #6 walking on Bristol Street in Santa Ana and pulled over in his van to offer her a ride home. He drove the victim to a liquor store to purchase alcohol and gave her alcohol to drink. When the victim complained of feeling ill, the defendant moved her to the back of the van and forcibly raped her as she told him to stop. The victim reported the rape to the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD).

On Dec. 7, 2009, SAPD arrested Martinez after identifying him through information provided by Jane Doe #6. Martinez was subsequently linked through DNA to the rapes of Jane Doe #4 and Jane Doe #5. The defendant was linked to the sexual assaults of Jane Doe #1-3 through further investigation.

Martinez’s lifetime sex offender registration will bar him from entering County recreational areas and City parks which have passed the Sex Offender Ordinance. Visit www.orangecountyda.com to read the prior press releases on the County’s Sex Offender Ordinance as well as the 14 other cities that have enacted the Child Safety Zone Ordinance.

CPD, OPD, SAPD, and WPD investigated this case. Deputy District Attorney Jess Rodriguez of the Sexual Assault Unit prosecuted this case.

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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

Art Pedroza Editor

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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