| For Immediate Release March 18th, 2005 |
Contact: | Mark Macaulay Media Relations Spokesperson (714) 347-8405 |
HIGH SCHOOL BUS DRIVER CHARGED WITH THE STATUTORY RAPE OF A 16-YEAR-OLD STUDENT/BUS RIDER
Santa Ana – Carlos Alberto Mendez, 26, of Anaheim has been charged with three counts of statutory rape of a 16-year-old high school student. The defendant met his victim while driving a bus in the Irvine School District for Laidlaw Transit Services, Inc. If convicted on all charges, he could face up to 4 years 4 months in state prison.
The defendant is accused of obtaining the victim’s phone number and calling to ask her out on a date. The statutory rape charges span from October 2004 through the end of the year. The defendant is accused of impregnating Jane Doe. He recently had his third child with his wife.
Carlos Mendez is set to be arraigned on Monday, March 21, 2005, in department H-2 of the Harbor Justice Center, 4601 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, CA 92660. Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Duke in the Sexual Assault unit has been assigned to prosecute the case.
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