Transient Sentenced to Four Years in Palm Springs Attempted Sexua

INDIO (CNS) - A 27-year-old transient who tried to sexually assault a woman in a park bathroom stall in Palm Springs was sentenced Thursday to four years in state prison.

Jonathan Nava was originally accused of forcing his way into an office building and a park bathroom stall hours apart on Oct. 27, 2017, in an attempt to sexually assault two women.

Under a plea deal, he admitted the attempted bathroom assault and one count of burglary involving the office building at 1140 N. Indian Canyon in Palm Springs, according to John Hall, a spokesman for the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.

A second count of assault with intent to commit rape, as well as a felony false imprisonment charge, were dismissed pursuant to the plea deal.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Harold Hopp certified the terms of the deal and gave Nava about three years of credit for time served.

According to Palm Springs police, Nava forced his way into an office building at 1140 N. Indian Canyon in Palm Springs just before 10 a.m. on Oct. 27, 2017, where he chased after a woman who was able to flee and call police. Nava fled before officers arrived.

Just after noon that day, officers were called to Ruth Hardy Park on a report of a man trying to sexually assault a woman inside a bathroom stall.

The woman -- who was in the stall to change clothes for work -- was heard screaming by witnesses at the park. Nava forced his way into the stall, but fled after witnesses entered the bathroom, according to police.

A search of the area led to Nava's arrest just southwest of the park. Following his arrest, officers found that he matched the suspect description from the office building attack and believed he was trying to sexually assault that woman, as well.

– By City News Service