Man charged with violent sexual assault of Santa Maria woman is in country illegally, police say

Posted: Aug 04, 2015 4:01 PM PDT
Updated: Aug 04, 2015 5:24 PM PDT
By KSBY Staff


Victor Martinez (Courtesy: Santa Maria Police Dept.)

A man charged in connection with the violent sexual assault of a Santa Maria woman who later died is in the country illegally, Santa Maria Police Chief Ralph Martin tells KSBY News.

The victim has been identified by police as Marilyn Pharis, 64, of Santa Maria. Police initially said she was 67.

Victor Martinez, 29, of Santa Maria was arrested July 24 after Pharis reported the assault to police. She said a stranger entered her home, on Friday July 24th, in the 900 block of N. Dejoy Street and sexually assaulted her. She was taken to the hospital, but later died.

It is not known if she died from injuries she sustained in the July 24 attack. The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office is waiting on the results of the coroner's autopsy report, which the Santa Maria Police Department says is scheduled for Thursday.

Following his arrest, Martinez pleaded not guilty to attempted first-degree murder and assault with intent to commit rape. No new charges have been filed and the D.A.'s office is not commenting at this time on if additional charges are pending.

Chief Martin says he confirmed with ICE that Martinez is in the country illegally and is from Mexico.

Martinez is being held on $1 million bail, which is on top of the $75,000 bail for his three probation violations.

His next court appearance is set for August 13.

http://www.ksby.com/story/29709938/m...lly-police-say