Update – the suspect turned himself in to the SAPD just before 4 p.m. todayper this Facebook post.
On September 16, 2025, at about 9 a.m., a female victim was walking near Centennial Park, located at 3300 W. Edinger Avenue, when a male suspect approached her, according to the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD).
The suspect complimented the victim before grabbing and squeezing her buttocks. The victim was able to take several still photos of the suspect before he fled.
The suspect appears to be in his late 20s to early 30s, with a medium build, short dark hair, and no visible tattoos or distinguishing marks. At the time of the incident, he was shirtless, wearing brown tattered pants, and carrying a black shirt in his hand. The photos show him walking along what looks like a concrete flood control channel.
Anyone with information about his identity or whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Corporal D. Gray at (714) 245-8381 or DGray@santa-ana.org.
If charged, the suspect could face misdemeanor or felony s*xual battery under California law, with penalties ranging from jail time to mandatory registration as a sex offender.
Under California Penal Code §243.4, s*xual battery is defined as touching an intimate part of another person against their will for s*xual gratification, aro*sal, or abuse. Based on the incident you described, the suspect’s actions—grabbing and squeezing the victim’s b*ttocks—would likely qualify.
Possible Legal Penalties
- Misdemeanor S*xual Battery (if no aggravating factors):
- Up to 6 months in county jail
- Fines up to $2,000
- Summary probation
- Mandatory s*x offender registration under Penal Code §290 in some cases
- Felony S*xual Battery (if force, restraint, or the victim was unconscious):
- 2 to 4 years in state prison
- Fines up to $10,000
- Formal probation
- Mandatory lifetime s*x offender registration
Additional Charges That Could Apply
- Assault or battery under Penal Code §240 or §242
- Harassment or l*wd conduct in public under Penal Code §647(a)
- Civil liability if the victim pursues damages
Aggravating Factors That Could Elevate Charges
- Prior criminal history
- Use of force or threats
- Victim under age 18
- Occurrence in a public park or near a school
If the suspect is identified and arrested, the Orange County District Attorney will determine the appropriate charges based on the evidence, including the victim’s statement and the photos.