ESCONDIDO: Police arrest man suspected of raping, molesting child

By DEBORAH SULLIVAN BRENNAN dbrennan@nctimes.com |
Posted: Thursday, October 13, 2011 7:56 pm


Escondido police on Thursday arrested an 18-year-old Escondido man, Jose Manuel Ayala, suspected of raping and molesting a 12-year-old girl, according to a statement from the department.

The 12-year-old victim reported the rape last month, and detectives had investigated the case during that time. During the investigation, police found that Ayala had allegedly raped and molested the girl several times over a three-month period, police said.

"There have been numerous contacts, not just in the home, but in the neighborhood as well," Escondido Lt. Craig Carter said Thursday.

Ayala approached the girl again Wednesday, which provided police with information they needed to arrest him, Carter said.

"He did present himself to her yesterday, and because of that we were able to find him and track him down," Carter said.

A background check revealed that Ayala had been previously arrested and was in the midst of immigration removal proceedings, police said. Carter said he was arrested by immigration officials Oct. 4, but said his prior record was sealed under juvenile court proceedings.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers with the Police Department assisted with Ayala's arrest in the 500 block of N. Fig Street in Escondido.

Ayala is being held on three counts of rape, one count of sexual battery, nine counts of child molestation, six counts of child molestation by force or fear, two counts of false imprisonment, three counts of unlawful sex with a minor and five counts of residential burglary, police said.

Carter said Ayala would likely be arraigned Friday or Monday.

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