| For Immediate Release Case # 07HF0406
July 23, 2008 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
COSTA MESA MAN SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT OF THREE WOMEN AND
BREAKING INTO THE HOME OF ONE
NEWPORT BEACH – A certified nurse’s assistant was convicted today of attacking a woman and attempting to rape her outside of a Costa Mesa home. Byron Mauricio Izaguirre, 27, Costa Mesa, pleaded guilty to the court to felonies for two counts of sexual penetration by foreign object by force, three counts of assault with the intent to commit a sexual offense, resisting an officer, and first degree residential burglary. The sentencing enhancement for non-accomplice present during a residential burglary was found true. He was sentenced to 12 years in state prison and will have to register as a sex offender.
Just before 1:00 a.m. on Feb. 21, 2007, Izaguirre broke into a Costa Mesa home by climbing through a dog door and attempted to enter Jane Doe #2’s room. When Jane Doe #2’s dog began to bark, Izaguirre fled from the house. The victim, who woke up at the sound of her dog barking, saw the defendant in the hallway near her room and called the police.
Later that morning, at approximately 1:00 a.m. after a night out with friends, Jane Doe #1, 40, was returning to a nearby home in Costa Mesa, where she was house-sitting. As the victim got out of her car in the driveway and went to enter the house through the garage, Izaguirre grabbed her from behind and attacked her. As Jane Doe #1 struggled to get away, Izaguirre fought with her, forced his hands under her pants, and digitally penetrated her. The victim was able to break free and run screaming to the street, but Izaguirre caught her and tackled her to the ground before digitally penetrating her again. When neighbors came out of their homes after hearing Jane Doe #1 scream, Izaguirre fled the scene and hid in nearby bushes. When officers arrived, Izaguirre refused to follow their instructions and physically resisted when they attempted to arrest him.
After seeing media coverage of the sexual assault of Jane Doe #1, two additional victims came forward. On Feb. 12, 2007, Jane Doe #3, 24, was dropped off at the Newport Village Apartments in Costa Mesa after a night out with friends. She attempted to enter through a pedestrian gate, but didn’t have her key and was unable to get in. Izaguirre, who was loitering in a nearby parking lot, offered to help boost the victim over the gate. As he lifted her, the defendant put his hands between her legs and grabbed her vagina over her clothes. The defendant then began to struggle with Jane Doe #3 and was able to take off her sweatshirt and throw it into nearby bushes. Jane Doe #3 kicked Izaguirre to get away, and the defendant fled.
On one occasion between April and May 2005, Izaguirre drove to the Newport Beach home of Jane Doe #4, 42, at approximately 10:30 p.m. The victim and defendant worked together at Park Superior Health Care in Costa Mesa. Izaguirre told Jane Doe #4 that he wanted to talk, and the two went out to his truck and began kissing. When the defendant began to grab the victim, she told him to stop and resisted, but he continued to kiss, grab, and attempt to disrobe the victim. Despite Jane Doe #4 struggling against him, Izaguirre was able to remove her sweater and partially remove her pants. Izaguirre left bruises on the victims’ neck.
Deputy District Attorney Drew Haughton of the Sexual Assault Unit prosecuted this case.