YUCCA VALLEY – A Landers man was arrested by San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies on charges of raping a 15-year-old last month.
Johnny Alaniz, 18, was arrested on Aug. 7 and appeared in court to face charges for rape and raping an under-age female. Deputy Shauna Ables was summoned to a Yucca Valley in response to a father who had reported his 15-year-old daughter had been raped at a residence in Landers some three weeks earlier.
During Ables’ interview with the unidentified victim, she was able to get a positive identification of Alaniz. One day later, Ables made contact with Alaniz. During that interview, Ables was able to obtain the necessary evidence needed to support the victim’s allegations.
Shortly after 5 p.m., Alaniz was arrested and taken to the Morongo Basin Jail on charges of rape. His bail amount was set at $250,000. Charges were later amended to included unlawful sex with a child under 18. Law enforcement officials did not disclose the evidence taken into account that led to Alaniz’s arrest. Neither the actual date nor the account of the incident were disclosed, though according to reports, the victim might have been lured to the residence at which the assault occurred.
The incident took place on the 3900 block of Shawnee Trail in Landers. Landers, a Mojave Desert community with less than 3,000 population, is approximately 20 miles from Yucca Valley, which is located in the southern portion of San Bernardino County.
