Man Accused In Banning Sexual Assault Ordered To Stand Trial

BANNING, CA — A 28-year-old probationer accused of sexually assaulting a Banning woman at her apartment must stand trial for forcible rape and other felonies, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Garret Anthony Lopez of Hemet was arrested in March following the alleged attack in the 200 block of North Hargrave Street, near Williams Street.

Following a preliminary hearing at the Banning Justice Center, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Jorge Hernandez found there was sufficient evidence to warrant a trial on the rape count, as well as assault with intent to commit mayhem and sexual battery.

The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for June 29 and left Lopez's bail set at $55,000. He's being held at the nearby Smith Correctional Facility.

According to the Banning Police Department, in the predawn hours of March 6, the defendant allegedly visited the victim, with whom he was acquainted, at her residence and attacked her.

The specific circumstances weren't provided, and the victim's identity was not disclosed.

After he left the location, the woman contacted police, culminating in an investigation that led to police officers taking Lopez into custody without incident the following day at his workplace in Cabazon, police said.

According to court records, the defendant has no documented prior felony convictions. However, he does have two prior misdemeanor convictions for driving under the influence.