| For Immediate Release Case # 04CF3110 December 7, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
INTERNATIONAL SERIAL RAPIST FACES TRIAL FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT OF THREE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WOMEN AFTER BEING EXTRADITED FROM AUSTRIA AFTER INTERPOL DNA HIT
*Defendant was featured on the OCDA’s “Most Wanted” list
SANTA ANA – A man suspected of being an international serial rapist faces trial tomorrow for sexually assaulting three Southern California women after being captured in Austria in 2010 following a DNA match through INTERPOL. The defendant was featured on the Orange County District Attorney’s (OCDA) Most Wanted list.
Ali Achekzai, 33, formerly of Ladera Ranch, is charged with two felony counts of forcible rape, two felony count of sexual penetration by foreign object by force, one felony count of aggravated assault, one felony count of assault with the intent to commit a sexual offense, and sentencing enhancements and allegations for committing sexual crimes against more than one victim and causing great bodily injury to a victim. The OCDA is prosecuting the defendant for rapes and assault with the intent to commit a sexual offense (see below) that occurred in both Orange and San Diego Counties. If convicted, Achekzai faces a maximum sentence of 68 years and four months to life in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011, in Department C-27, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.
The Tustin Police Department (TPD) is the lead investigating agency in this case and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) coordinated the defendant’s arrest and extradition.
Deputy District Attorney Robert Mestman is prosecuting this case.
Circumstances of the Rape of Jane Doe #1
On Jan. 31, 2004, Achekzai is accused of meeting 21-year-old Jane Doe #1 at a nightclub in Laguna Beach. Shortly before 4:00 a.m., Jane Doe #1 observed the defendant following her in his car as she was driving on Jamboree Road toward Tustin. The defendant is accused of following Jane Doe #1 as she drove around and attempted to get away from him. Achekzai is accused of pulling up near Jane Doe in his car and yelling for her to pull over because he wanted to talk to her about something important.
Jane Doe #1 parked in a fast food restaurant lot and got into Achekzai’s car. The defendant is accused of luring her under the pretense of warning her about another man she had met at the nightclub. The victim became scared, got out of his car, and attempted to run away. Achekzai is accused of getting out of chasing Jane Doe #1, catching her, and eventually leading her back to her car.
Once they were in the victim’s car, the defendant is accused of grabbing Jane Doe #1 by the neck, holding her down, digitally penetrating and forcibly raping her. He is accused of then getting back into his car and driving away. Jane Doe #1 reported the rape to police and DNA was collected from her clothing. TPD investigated this case.