SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Florida inmate was arraigned today on charges of assaulting, kidnapping, and sexually assaulting three women near a park in Westminster. Arnold Eduardo Martinez, 34, Blackwater Correctional Facility, Florida, is charged with one felony count of attempted kidnapping to commit a sexual offense, three felony counts of assault with the intent to commit a sexual offense, two felony counts of kidnapping to commit a sexual offense, one felony count of battery with serious bodily injury, and one felony count of false personation, with sentencing enhancement allegations for great bodily injury and great bodily injury to a sexual assault victim. If convicted, Martinez faces a maximum sentence of 28 years and eight months to life in state prison. Martinez is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing, March 17, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-5, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

In the early morning hours of July 18, 2008, Martinez is accused of driving a sedan near Sigler Park in Westminster and parking near Jane Doe 1, who was seated on a park bench. The defendant is accused of getting out of the vehicle and sitting near Jane Doe 1. Martinez is accused engaging in a brief conversation with Jane Doe 1. After Jane Doe 1 began to walk away from the bench, Martinez is accused of walking up behind Jane Doe 1 and putting his hand over the victim's mouth before forcing her toward his vehicle with the intent to sexually assault her. Martinez is accused of fleeing the scene after Jane Doe 1 screamed and attempted to get away from the defendant.

At approximately 4:30 a.m. on July 24, 2008, Martinez is accused of parking his vehicle near Sigler Park where Jane Doe 2 was walking. Martinez is accused of approaching Jane Doe 2, grabbing the victim, and attempting to drag her toward his vehicle. The defendant is accused of dragging Jane Doe 2 into some bushes with the intent to sexually assault her. Martinez is accused of punching Jane Doe 2 multiple times when she attempted to escape. He is accused of then fleeing the scene in his vehicle. Jane Doe 2 suffered bruises, swelling, and abrasions.

At approximately 4:55 a.m. on Jan. 14, 2009, Martinez is accused of driving behind Jane Doe 3 as she was walking to church near Sigler Park. The defendant is accused of exiting the vehicle and forcing Jane Doe 3 into the passenger seat. Martinez is accused of chasing after Jane Doe 3 after she escaped from the vehicle and dragging her into nearby bushes nearby. The defendant is accused of punching Jane Doe 3 and hitting the victim's head against the ground when she screamed and attempted to resist. Martinez is accused of fleeing the scene after attempting to sexually assault Jane Doe 3. Jane Doe 3 suffered bruises, swelling, and a cut to her head.

The defendant is accused of leaving California after the assault of Jane Doe 3.

Shortly after the assault, Jane Doe 3 reported the crime to the Westminster Police Department (WPD), who investigated this case. WPD released a facial composite sketch based on Jane Doe 3's description, but the case went cold.

On July 20, 2011, Martinez pleaded guilty to kidnapping and sexual battery in Duval County Florida and was subsequently sentenced to 20 years in state prison. As a condition of Martinez's sentence, he was required to submit a DNA sample to the national DNA database, Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

After the submission, the Orange County Sheriff's Department received a CODIS DNA hit in September 2011, linking Martinez to the unsolved assaults in Orange County. Martinez is accused of using a false name and date of birth while living in Florida. Martinez was subsequently confirmed as the source of the DNA from the attack on Jane Doe 3 and he was extradited to Orange County in February 2016.

Deputy District Attorney Lexie Elliott of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.

Orange County District Attorney / Case # 11WF3019 / March 10, 2016