Call Us (866) GO-SEE-SAM
Call Us (866) GO-SEE-SAM
Jul 19, 2023
Law enforcement officials are seeking the public’s assistance as they search for a man who brutally attacked and attempted to rape an East Los Angeles woman over the weekend.
67-year-old Rosalina Martinez was working in her garden in the 1000 block of Fraser Avenue around 6:15 a.m. Saturday when she was approached from behind by a male suspect, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed to local KTLA.
The attacker has been identified as 21-year-old Sergio Andrew Garcia. “Officials say Garcia is no stranger to police, and they want to take him off the streets before he strikes again,” Fox 11 reported.
Garcia is alleged to have violently punched the victim in the face repeatedly before pulling down her pants and underwear, KTLA reported.
Martinez’s neighbor witnessed the attack and reportedly assisted by scaring off the suspect. Garcia then fled on foot before taking off on a “fixie” bicycle that was nearby, according to KTLA.
The neighbor recorded the suspect on their cell phone, which helped lead investigators to identify Garcia, Fox 11 said.
Police released the following photos of Garcia:
Authorities also provided the following description of the East Los Angeles attack suspect:
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that there had been no recent reports of similar attacks in the area.
The victim suffered two black eyes and required a neck brace. She told KTLA that her “entire body” hurt after the attack and indicated she believed Garcia wanted to rape her.
“When we found her, she was pretty much semi-naked,” Gilberto Carrillo, the victim’s son-in-law, told NBC 4. “I’m just thankful the neighbors intervened and prevented it from going any further.”
“I didn’t know what was going on,” the victim recalled in Spanish to ABC 7. “I screamed for help when he was punching me.”
“Honestly I am afraid of going out alone on the street,” she added. “Very scared with fear that something will happen to me again.”
Martinez told ABC 7 that she had lived in the same East Los Angeles community for decades but never experienced such violence.
ABC 7 confirmed she is “… recovering at home in between doctor appointments. She has a broken nose, swelling and bruises on her face, and scrapes on her knee.”
Anyone with information about Garcia’s whereabouts is urged to immediately contact the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s station at 323-264-4151.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477).
With the brutal attack of 67-year-old Rosalina Martinez, the District Attorney’s Office will almost certainly proceed with criminal charges once the suspect is apprehended. While criminal charges are often brought in physical and sexual assaults, survivors may also wish to consider civil litigation as a means of recovering financial compensation for damages, such as:
A civil lawsuit is a completely separate matter from any criminal charges which may be filed against a perpetrator by the local District Attorney. In fact, civil claims may be filed by or on behalf of survivors regardless of whether or not criminal charges are ever brought or a suspect is ever convicted. Moreover, if a suspect is not convicted, survivors of physical violence and sexual assaults may still be able to secure financial compensation through civil claims.
Reach out to Dordulian Law Group’s (DLG) sexual assault attorneys today to discuss your case. We are dedicated to fighting for justice on behalf of survivors and are standing by 24/7 for free and confidential consultations. Contact us at 866-GO-SEE-SAM to learn more about your legal options for civil justice after a sexual assault.
Our Sexual Assault Justice Experts are here to help survivors secure justice. Contact our top-rated attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.
DLG is one of California’s leading sexual assault and abuse firms serving survivors across the Golden State and throughout the nation. We are led by former sex crimes prosecutor Sam Dordulian, an experienced litigator with over 25 years of experience which includes more than 100 jury trial victories and total settlements and verdicts recovered for clients in excess of $200,000,000.00.
Sam Dordulian is an award-winning sexual abuse lawyer with over 25 years' experience helping survivors secure justice. As a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for L.A. County, he secured life sentences against countless sexual predators. Mr. Dordulian currently serves on the National Leadership Council for RAINN.
Do you have a case? Let's find out.
