Coachella man faces rape, attempted murder charges for attacking 6 women
The Riverside County District Attorney's office announced the arrest of 36-year-old Jose Manuel Martinez Garcia on Friday.
The Coachella resident is accused of physically and/or sexually assaulting 6 women throughout the Coachella Valley from September 2020 to August 2021.
Garcia plead not guilty on Friday.
Police say Garcia was arrested on October 5, 2021 while traveling in Indio, but the DA's office released this information Friday.
Hestrin said Garcia’s arrest was not announced immediately because there was still pending investigations of 2 other victims.
On Friday, the DA's office filed an amended criminal complaint charging Garcia with crimes involving two more victims.
Garcia faces 14 felony counts: 4 counts of attempted murder, 4 counts of rape, 1 count each of kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, assault likely to produce great bodily injury, sodomy by force, oral copulation by force and sexual penetration by force.
“These victims were alone. And that is not a good thing. In the middle of the night, on a street,” said Christopher Shaefer, Assistant Chief of the Indio Police Department.
All of the victims are adults ranging in age, and were by themselves when Garcia attacked them.
Three of the victims were strangled to unconsciousness.
Two other victims were struck by Garcia’s truck when they tried to get away. "One of the victims sustained a broken leg and was left in a ditch in Thermal for 2 ½ days, before being found and receiving medical care," said District Attorney Mike Hestrin.
The charged crimes all happened in the Coachella Valley, however, authorities believe it's possible Garcia may have committed crimes in other areas.
Authorities say Garcia was a pool man and gardener, who would travel across the valley for work.
The DA’s Office and the investigating agencies are asking for the public’s assistance if anyone has more information on the defendant or may have been a victim.
He'll be back in court February 15, 2021.
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