Probationer Who Sexually Assaulted 1 of 2 Women He Chased Sentenced

RIVERSIDE, CA — A probationer who tried to sexually assault one of two women he chased in Home Gardens, cornering her in a doorway until her screams prompted him to flee, was sentenced Friday to two years in state prison.

Alexander Jason Armenta, 46, of Jurupa Valley pleaded guilty in December to assault with intent to commit rape. No charges were dismissed under the pretrial agreement.

During a hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice Friday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Gary Polk imposed the sentence stipulated under the terms of the agreement.

According to a bail-setting affidavit filed last year by sheriff's Deputy Robert Fox, just before 6 p.m. on March 24, 2024, the victim, identified only as "A.F.," was walking home with her female friend, identified only as "V-2," after the two stopped to pick up items at the Lincoln Square Shopping Center, near the intersection of Lincoln and Magnolia avenues.

They had seen Armenta loitering outside a liquor store and noticed that when they began walking back to A.F.'s apartment building, the defendant was trailing them, according to the affidavit.

The women told the deputy that Armenta was walking at a brisk pace, with his "hands down his pants."

A.F. and V-2 feared for their safety and began running to get away, but Armenta started running after them, staying close on the heels of A.F. as she cut down an alleyway, while her friend continued running along Harvill Lane, according to the affidavit.

"Armenta admitted to wanting to have intercourse with both (women)," Fox wrote.

The defendant caught up to A.F. as she reached her apartment door and fumbled for her keys. Armenta shoved the victim into the door and "unzipped his pants" with an erection, according to the affidavit.

The document said that he grabbed the woman's breasts and "began to masturbate," attempting unsuccessfully to pull her pants down. She began screaming, "Police! Police are coming!" and the defendant immediately retreated, the affidavit stated.

The victim then ran out to the roadway and found her friend, whereupon they enlisted the help of bystanders to call 911.

Armenta went back to the shopping center, where patrol deputies located him minutes later, taking him into custody without incident.

Neither A.F. nor her friend was injured.

Court records show Armenta has prior misdemeanor convictions for child endangerment and trespassing.

—City News Service