| For Immediate Release Case #11HF2351 Septemeber 16, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
SEX OFFENDER CHARGED WITH SEXUALLY ASSAULTING FOUR ADDITIONAL VICTIMS AFTER WOMEN CAME FORWARD AS A RESULT OF MEDIA COVERAGE OF FOUR PRIOR INCIDENTS
SANTA ANA – A registered sex offender was charged today with sexually assaulting an additional four women in a Laguna Beach rug store after they came forward as a result of media coverage of four prior sexual assaults. Saeid Boustanabadi Maralan, 53, Laguna Niguel, is charged with two felony counts of sexual battery by restraint, one felony count each of forcible rape, sexual penetration by a foreign object by force, attempted forcible oral copulation, false imprisonment, and one misdemeanor count of indecent exposure with a sentencing enhancement allegation for committing a sexual offense against more than one victim. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison. Maralan is being held on $2 million bail and is expected to be arraigned today, Sept. 16, 2011, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.
Maralan is the manager for a rug store, Sirous and Sons, in Laguna Beach. The charges in the previous case # 11HF2240 were filed by the Orange County District Attorney on Sept. 2, 2011 and a press release was issued shortly thereafter. Additional victims came forward as a result of the media coverage of the four victims, and charges for the four additional victims were filed today, Sept. 16, 2011. None of the victims know each other.
Jane Doe #5
Jane Doe #5, 51, lived in the upstairs unit above the rug store Sirous and Sons. Between May and July 2007, Maralan is accused of sexually assaulting Jane Doe #5 on several occasions. When Jane Doe #5 entered the rug store to talk to Maralan about the electricity bill, Maralan is accused of asking for a hug. He is accused of wrapping his left arm around her and grabbing her breast with his right hand and pulling her against him. Jane Doe #5 was able to free herself immediately.
A few weeks later, Jane Doe #5 entered the rug store to speak with Maralan. While they were talking, Maralan is accused of grabbing hold of the victim and pushing her against the wall near his desk. Maralan is accused of trying to repeatedly kiss her on the mouth. Jane Doe #5 thrashed her head from side to side and was able to get away from Maralan, and left the rug store very upset.
In early July 2007, Maralan is accused of contacting Jane Doe #5 about very important mail she had received. When she entered the rug store to retrieve her mail, the defendant is accused of asking her to come around the desk and gestured to his crotch, saying, “Look what I have for you.” Maralan is accused of exposing his erect penis to the victim.
Jane Doe #6
In April 2010, 48-year-old Jane Doe #6 visited Maralan’s rug store in order to sell her rugs. Maralan is accused of leading Jane Doe #6 to the back of the store and into the storage area. He is accused of turning off the lights, grabbing the victim, and lifting her onto a pile of rugs.