Date: November 19, 2015
Case # 09CF2322
FORMER FUGITIVE CONVICTED OF MOLESTING 9-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND THREATENING TO KILL HER 15-YEAR-OLD SISTER IN LATE NIGHT HOME BREAK-IN
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A former fugitive was convicted yesterday of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl and threatening to kill her 15-year-old sister after breaking into their home in the middle of the night through a bedroom window. Ernesto Parraguirre, 26, Anaheim, was found guilty by a jury yesterday, Nov. 18, 2015, of one felony count each of sexual penetration of a child 10 years or younger, lewd acts on a child under 14, criminal threats, first degree burglary, assault with intent to commit a sexual offense during the commission of a first degree burglary, and sentencing enhancement allegations for committing a sexual offense in the commission of a residential burglary and non-accomplice present during a residential burglary. He faces a maximum sentence of 42 years to life in state prison at his sentencing, Feb. 5, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-44, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
At approximately 5:00 a.m. on Sept. 16, 2009, Parraguirre broke into a home in Orange by removing a screen and climbing through a bedroom window. He entered the bedroom, where 9-year-old Jane Doe 1 was sleeping with her sister, 15-year-old Jane Doe 2. The victims did not know the defendant. The victims’ parent was sleeping in a nearby bedroom. Parraguirre got into the bed with Jane Doe 1 and sexually assaulted her. Jane Doe 1 woke up and began to cry, waking her sister. Parraguirre threatened to kill Jane Doe 2 if she said anything. The defendant then fled the scene.
The defendant fled to Mexico to avoid prosecution. On Sept. 25, 2009, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Orange Police Department (OPD) released a press release seeking the public’s help in locating the defendant. Parraguirre turned himself in to OPD on Feb. 10, 2010.
Deputy District Attorney Kristin Bracic of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.