A convicted sex offender who assaulted two female Corona residents pleaded guilty Friday to multiple charges.
Miguel Angel Vazquez, 31, admitted two counts of forced sexual penetration and one count each of attempted kidnapping and oral copulation of a minor, as well as sentence-enhancing allegations of targeting multiple victims in a sex crime. Six charges were dismissed in exchange for Vazquez’s admissions.
It was unclear whether he reached a plea deal negotiated with the prosecution, or made his admissions directly to Riverside County Superior Court Judge Laura Garcia, who scheduled a sentencing hearing for Jan. 30 at the Riverside Hall of Justice. No prospective term of imprisonment was disclosed.
The defendant is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail.
According to Corona police Sgt. Robert Montanez, the first attack happened on the afternoon of Jan. 26, 2024, in the 1100 block of Magnolia Avenue, where Vazquez forced himself on a woman, groping her before fleeing.
Montanez said that, four days later, the defendant targeted another woman in Mountain Gate Park in the 3200 block of South Main Street.
“Officers learned the suspect approached the victim, sexually battered her and stole her cell phone,” the sergeant said.
The victim immediately called 911, and patrol officers canvassed the area with the aid of a Riverside Police Department helicopter crew.
Montanez said that, relying on the victim’s description, officers were able to locate the assailant three hours later in the area of Filbert and Ford streets, where Vazquez was taken into custody without incident.
“Miguel is a registered sex offender with an extensive criminal history,” the Corona police spokesman said.
After his arrest, further investigation revealed the defendant had engaged in illicit behavior with a teenage girl, though the circumstances were not disclosed.
Court records show he has prior convictions for statutory rape of a minor, sexual battery, domestic violence, stalking and making criminal threats