D.A. Slaps Serial Rapist with Multiple Felony Counts – Including Attempted Murder
Photo: Jose Manuel Martinez Garcia
COACHELLA VALLEY – A man believed to be a serial rapist has a future with life in prison looming large. The Riverside District Attorney, Mike Hestrin, has added additional charges to findings in the October 5, 2021 arrest of Jose Manuel Martinez Garcia, a Mexican National living in Coachella – who previously resided in the Bakersfield area.
Since that arrest, he’s been in custody without bail – for multiple heinous acts. At that time, the DA’s office filed charges on behalf of four victims – that number has recently increased to six.
Garcia’s lengthy investigation was spurred by several violent sexual assaults. When Indio police detectives and sheriff’s investigators at the Thermal Station identified Garcia as the suspect, detectives continued the investigation – with possible connections to other crimes.
DA Hestrin recently announced, “Jose Manuel Martinez Garcia, DOB: 1-31-85, is charged with physically and/or sexually assaulting six women in the Coachella Valley area from September 2020 to August 2021. The attacks included three victims being strangled to unconsciousness.”
In addition, regarding DA Hestrin added, “two incidents in which the victim was struck by the defendant’s pickup. A victim was left injured in a ditch in Thermal with a broken leg for several days.”
Fortunately, the victim was found and administered medical care. At this time, 14 felony counts – including four counts of attempted murder – are being filed against the believed serial rapist.
An amended criminal complaint has recently added charges to the original attempted murder counts. Garcia has been slapped with forcible rape, kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, and other sex-related counts.
Case #INF2101719, is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Shea Strand of the DA’s Special Victims Unit.
