| For Immediate Release Case # 10HF0027 June 29, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
DRY-CLEANING BUSINESS MANAGER FACES TRIAL FOR RAPING TWO WOMEN INCLUDING MINOR FEMALE HE MET THROUGH WORK
SANTA ANA – A dry-cleaning business manager faces a jury trial today for forcibly raping two women, including a friend and a minor female employee. Jaime Zamora Ramirez, 42, Costa Mesa, is charged with two felony counts of forcible rape with a sentencing enhancement allegation for forcibly raping multiple victims. He also faces a sentencing enhancement for a prior strike conviction for vehicular manslaughter in 1992. If convicted, Ramirez faces a maximum sentence of 60 years to life in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin today, Wednesday, June 29, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-27, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Jane Doe #1
In the early morning of Oct. 12, 2008, Ramirez is accused of knocking on the door of Jane Doe #1’s apartment and asking for a beer. The defendant is accused of being friends with the victim. After briefly walking away, Ramirez is accused of returning to Jane Doe #1’s apartment, forcing her onto the bed, and forcibly raping her. This case was investigated by the Anaheim Police Department.
Jane Doe #2
In the morning of July 11, 2009, Ramirez, a manager of First Class Cleaners in Fountain Valley, is accused of instructing a co-worker to have a minor employee, Jane Doe #2, help with “special deliveries.” Special deliveries require employees to drop-off and pick-up customer dry-cleaning.
The defendant is accused of telling a co-worker to drive Jane Doe #2 to Ramirez’s Costa Mesa home after completing the daily deliveries to pick up some paperwork for the business. Upon Jane Doe #2’s arrival, the defendant is accused of luring her into his home and leading her to a room under the pretense of giving her the paperwork. Once she had entered the room, Ramirez is accused of locking the door and forcibly raping her.
Ramirez is accused of threatening to report Jane Doe #2’s undocumented immigration status if she reported the rape and warning that no one would believe her story. Directly following the attack, Jane Doe #2 told co-workers what happened and then reported the incident to the Costa Mesa Police Department.
Deputy District Attorney Jen Walker of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.
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