| For Immediate Release January 8, 2007 |
Contact: | Farrah Emami Spokesperson (714) 347-8405 Office (714) 323-4486 Cell |
SERIAL RAPIST AND ROBBER SENTENCED
TO 103 YEARS FOR ATTACKING
12 WOMEN AND 11 MEN IN SANTA ANA PARKS
SANTA ANA – The serial rapist and robber that terrorized patrons of parks in Santa Ana and Fountain Valley was sentenced today to 103 years and 8 months to life in prison for crimes against 12 women and 11 men. Francisco Hernandez, 38, of Santa Ana, was convicted of 69 counts of rape, kidnapping, robbery, and assault with a deadly weapon with multiple enhancements for the use of a weapon and kidnapping.
Between June 1997 and August 2003, Hernandez attacked 12 women and 11 men in several parks in Santa Ana, including Thornton Park, Jerome Park, and Centennial Park, as well as Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley. The majority of his victims were couples that were sitting in cars or walking through the park. Hernandez would approach the victims on foot or on a bicycle wearing a ski mask and armed with a handgun and a knife. He would rob the couples of their money and their jewelry. Several of the women were raped.
“Not only did he victimize the 12 women and 11 men that he attacked, but he also victimized the community by making the parks a place to be feared,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Beth Carmichael of the Sexual Assault Unit, who prosecuted this case.
The Santa Ana Police Department investigated this crime, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department conducted the forensic analysis.
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