Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has laid down the law, charging two men in separate sexual assault cases in Culver City and Long Beach, and calling for any additional victims to step forward. Marcos Maldonado is accused of a heinous act, allegedly breaking into a young girl's home and attacking her, while Martin Lopez is charged with posing as a cop to assault and attempt to kidnap an unsuspecting woman.
According to the Los Angeles County DA's office, Maldonado's charges are grim: two counts of forcible rape of a child under 14, one count of sodomy by use of force – victim under age 14; and two counts of sexual penetration by use of force of victim under 14. In a disturbing revelation, Maldonado allegedly used the cover of night to enter a 12-year-old girl's room through a balcony and committed the assaults over a prolonged three-hour ordeal in her Culver City home on December 2, 2023.
In an equally disturbing turn, Lopez stands accused of using the guise of authority to perpetrate his crimes. He faces one count of attempted kidnapping to commit another crime, one count of sexual battery by restraint, and one count of second-degree robbery. This individual's past reportedly includes two or more serious and/or violent felonies, bolstering the severity of the charges against him. Lopez allegedly attacked a woman outside a Long Beach restaurant on December 27, 2023, flashing a fake badge and assaulting her under the pretext of conducting a "search."
"These two cases demonstrate how partnerships between my office and our local law enforcement agencies can result in getting dangerous individuals off the street," Gascón said in a sobering reminder of the threats lurking within our communities. The DA's office has emphasized their commitment to such cases, particularly those targeting vulnerable populations like children. The collaboration between various agencies including the Culver City Police Department, Long Beach Police Department, and others exemplifies a unified front against sexual violence. With the suspects behind bars, the focus now shifts to the victims, as services are offered to aid in their recovery from these traumatic experiences.
Law enforcement is now seeking additional victims who may have fallen prey to Lopez or Maldonado. Anyone with information regarding Martin Lopez is urged to contact the Long Beach Police Department at 562-570-7368. As for Marcos Maldonado, tipsters can reach the Culver City Police Department at 310-253-6302 or email [email protected].
