Westminster man charged for butt-grabbing in Huntington Beach

Orange County District Attorney  Press Release

For Immediate Release,  Case # 13WF2913: September 20, 2013

MAN ARRAIGNED ON SEX CHARGES FOR GROPING FOUR WOMEN BY GRABBING THEM ON THE BUTTOCKS

WESTMINSTER – A man was arraigned today on sex charges for groping four women by grabbing them on the buttocks in public. Matthew Andrew Linville, 19, Westminster, is charged with one felony count of false imprisonment by violence and four misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of three years in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. Linville is being held on $100,000 bail and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Sept. 30, 2013, 8:30 a.m. in Department W-1, West Justice Center, Westminster.

At approximately 6:45 a.m. on Aug. 28, 2013, Linville is accused of approaching 34-year-old Jane Doe #1 as she was jogging through a neighborhood in Huntington Beach. The defendant is accused of grabbing the victim on the buttocks, pushing her to the ground, and groping her. The defendant is accused of fleeing from the scene after a neighbor heard the victim’s screams and came out and yelled at defendant.

At approximately 10:40 a.m. on Sept. 13, 2013, Linville is accused of approaching 43-year-old Jane Doe #2 at a Burlington Coat Factory in Bella Terra in Huntington Beach. The defendant is accused of grabbing the victim’s buttocks as she was shopping and fleeing from the scene. The defendant is also accused of touching the victim’s left breast with his hand over her dress.

At approximately 11:20 a.m. on Sept. 13, 2013, Linville is accused of approaching 34-year-old Jane Doe #3 at a parking structure across the street from the Bella Terra outdoor shopping mall. The defendant is accused of lifting the victim’s skirt up from behind and causing her to fall. Linville is accused of grabbing the victim’s buttocks and fleeing the scene.

At approximately 11:45 a.m. on Sept. 13, 2013, Linville is accused of approaching 48-year-old Jane Doe #4 in the parking lot at Hoover Golf Center in Westminster as she was preparing for golf lessons. The defendant is accused of walking up to the victim from behind and grabbing her buttocks.

The victims reported the crimes to Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) and Westminster Police Department, who investigated this case. On Sept. 18, 2013, Linville was arrested by HBPD.

If convicted, Linville’s mandatory 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.

Deputy District Attorney Nicholas Miller is prosecuting 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