CA Man Accused Of Raping Woman In Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — A California man faces multiple charges after authorities said he sexually assaulted and raped a woman in Montgomery County.

Mauricio Martinez-Garcia, 27, of Madera, California, was arrested Tuesday and charged with two counts of first-degree rape, one count of third-degree sexual offense, two counts of kidnapping and five counts of second-degree assault in connection with the December 2024 incident, Montgomery County police said in a statement.

According to police, on Dec. 18, 2024, the victim was at a restaurant in the 16100 block of Shady Grove Road, where she ordered food and consumed a drink at the bar. While waiting for her order, police said an unknown man talked to her and insisted on paying for her tab. The victim allowed him to pay and then went to her table, police said.

The woman told police she did not finish her food or drink and didn’t feel well. Instead, she left the restaurant and attempted to drive home.

While driving, police said the woman was involved in a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Sam Eig and Great Seneca Highways.

The victim told police that an unknown man arrived at the location and offered her help. The man, later identified as Martinez-Garcia, led her to his car and drove her away from the crash scene against the victim’s will, according to authorities.

Police said Martinez-Garcia drove the woman to his apartment, where he raped her. The suspect later drove the victim to her home, where she was raped again, according to authorities.

On Dec. 20, 2024, the victim went to a local hospital and underwent a sexual assault forensic examination. Evidence was collected, and detectives later gathered additional evidence from the victim’s apartment.

Through the investigation, detectives identified Martinez-Garcia as a suspect. A DNA profile collected during the investigation also matched Martinez-Garcia, police said.

Martinez-Garcia was taken into custody without incident at his home by the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.

During the investigation, police said detectives determined Martinez-Garcia was also connected to a sexual assault that occurred in Los Banos, California. Madera County detectives assisted in linking Martinez-Garcia to that case.

Martinez-Garcia is being held in Madera County, where he is awaiting extradition to Maryland.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims and encourage anyone with information to contact the Montgomery County Department of Police Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400.