A 38-year-old Santa Ana man is behind bars after police say he sexually assaulted his roommate early Sunday morning, only for investigators to discover he was already wanted on a separate warrant involving alleged sex crimes against a child. Jaime Marin was arrested and booked into the Santa Ana Jail following the alleged assault at a home in the 2000 block of South Lowell Street.
Officers with the Santa Ana Police Department responded around 3:30 a.m. Sunday to the home after a report of sexual assault, according to KTLA. Police said Marin lived in an accessory dwelling unit in the backyard of the property, a living arrangement that put him on the same lot as the woman he is accused of assaulting.
Marin’s reported backyard unit is part of a fast-growing housing category: California permitted 30,354 accessory dwelling units in 2024, up from 1,336 in 2016, and ADUs accounted for more than 26.6% of homes permitted statewide that year. State housing officials describe these units as a way to add housing in already developed neighborhoods, often as separate living spaces on lots with existing homes, and California’s housing department tracks the rapid growth.
Police Say He Entered Her Bedroom Without Permission
Investigators said Marin entered his female roommate's bedroom without permission before sexually assaulting her, per the outlet's reporting. The victim received appropriate care and was provided with resources and support services, police said. Officers have not released additional details about how the alleged assault unfolded.
While processing Marin's arrest, officers found he had an outstanding arrest warrant out of Tustin tied to a separate case, according to police. That warrant stemmed from alleged sex-related offenses including lewd acts with a child, distribution of pornography and child endangerment, authorities said.
Few Details Released on Either Case
Police have not disclosed the circumstances surrounding the Tustin warrant or provided further information about the alleged roommate assault. Both matters remain under investigation, and no additional specifics have been made public at this time.
The outstanding Tustin warrant and the alleged Santa Ana assault are separate matters, and neither allegation is a finding of guilt. In California, a defendant is presumed innocent unless the prosecution proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt; an arrest or criminal charge alone is not evidence that the charge is true. California Courts outline that standard for criminal cases.
