Transient Charged With Assault With Intent To Commit Sex Crime

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A Santa Rosa man was charged Thursday afternoon with assault with intent to commit a sex crime against a victim under age 18 on May 10 in Rohnert Park. Matthew Damon Madrid, 44, reacted angrily when Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Robert LaForge read the charge.

"I don't know what — I didn't rape — you've got to be kidding me," Madrid said.

Madrid pleaded not guilty and LaForge set June 15 for a preliminary hearing on the felony charge.

"This is completely out of character," Madrid's mother said after the brief hearing. She declined to give her name.

The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety said Madrid tried to grab the girl as she ran from him on Camino Colegio Drive in Rohnert Park.

Police released a sketch of the suspect based on the girl's description and received several tips from other law enforcement agencies and citizens that identified Madrid as a possible suspect.

Police on Tuesday showed the girl photos of possible suspects and she selected Madrid's photo. Madrid was arrested later that night and booked in the Sonoma County jail on suspicion of assault with intent to commit a sex crime. He is being held under $200,000 bail.

Madrid has a documented history of harassing women and making statements about wanting to harm children, officials with the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety said.

Sonoma County Deputy District Attorney Javier Vaca would not disclose the nature of the alleged assault.

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By Bay City News Service

Photos courtesy Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety