Crime & Safety

Lerma Arraignment Postponed for Second Time

Rape suspect's defense cites delay in access to police reports, other evidence from law enforcement.

A Fountain Valley man charged with sexually assaulting two women had his arraignment postponed for a second time Monday because, his attorney said, of a lack of access to pertinent documents from law enforcement.

"I have no clue what the complaining witnesses are saying," said attorney Rob Harley, who has taken over Miguel Lerma Jr.'s defense. "If I had to place the blame somewhere, I'd say it belongs with the investigating agencies."

Lerma, 31, first appeared in Judge John Adams' court at the West Justice Center in Westminster on April 4 and has remained in custody at the Orange County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail since his arrest. He appeared visibly thinner at his Monday morning appearance as he agreed once again to waive his right to a timely arraignment.

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Lerma, a U.S. Customs agent, was arrested March 31 outside his home in Fountain Valley after DNA evidence allegedly connected him to a November 2010 rape in Garden Grove. The evidence also tied him to a previously unsolved rape in Long Beach from September of 2009, according to authorities. He is charged with one felony count each of forcible rape, sodomy by force, and forcible oral copulation for Jane Doe No. 1, and one felony count of rape by use of drugs for Jane Doe No. 2. If convicted, Lerma faces up to 32 years in state prison.


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