| For Immediate Release Case # 10NF1974 March 20, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
TRANSIENT SEX OFFENDER CONVICTED AND SENTENCED FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL ON BUS
SANTA ANA – A transient sex offender was convicted and sentenced to two years in state prison today for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl on a bus by rubbing his erect penis against her after approaching her from behind. Curtis Michael Regulus, 40, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of lewd acts upon a 14-year-old child who is at least 10 years younger and one felony count of assault with the intent to commit a sexual offense.
At the time of the crime, Regulus was a transient registered sex offender known to frequent the Newport Beach and Costa Mesa areas.
At approximately 4:00 p.m. on June 19, 2010, 14-year-old Jane Doe got on a bus in Placentia after visiting her grandmother. The victim sat toward the back of the bus and Regulus moved to sit directly behind her. Jane Doe became uncomfortable and moved to the front of the bus near the driver. Regulus got up, followed the victim, and sat directly across the aisle from her.
When the bus reached the intersection of Orangethorpe Avenue and Harbor Boulevard in Anaheim, Jane Doe walked to the back doors of the bus to exit. Before the doors had opened, Regulus walked up behind Jane Doe and pushed himself against her, rubbing his erect penis against her buttocks through their clothes. The victim pushed the defendant away and pounded on the door of the bus for the driver to open it.
Jane Doe got off the bus and walked to the intersection to cross the street. While she was waiting for the light to change, Regulus again approached Jane Doe from behind and pushed his erect penis against her buttocks. The victim turned and attempted to push the defendant, who then grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him. Jane Doe struggled and was able to break free. The defendant yelled at the victim as she ran across the street to escape.
Regulus’ lifetime registration as a sex offender would bar him from entering County recreational areas and City parks which have passed the Sex Offender Ordinance. Visit www.orangecountyda.com to read the prior press releases on the County’s Sex Offender Ordinance as well as the 11 other cities that have enacted the Child Safety Zone Ordinance.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigated this case. Deputy District Attorney Katie David of the Sexual Assault Unit prosecuted this case.