Do you know this guy? Santa Ana cops say he skipped bail on teen sex-assault charges

Santa Ana police Friday were asking for public help in tracking down a man charged with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old relative of his live-in girlfriend.

Jose Gerrardo Espiritu, 53, was charged March 3 with multiple felonies, and he made six appearances in court after he posted bail and was released, but on Sept. 1 he failed to show for one of his court dates and a fugitive warrant was issued for his arrest, according to Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

On March 1, police were first called about the allegations that Espiritu sexually assaulted the teen, Bertagna said.

Earlier that evening, the defendant got into an argument with his girlfriend, prompting her to leave the residence, Bertagna said. About 1:30 a.m., Espiritu convinced the victim to go along with him to help find the defendant’s girlfriend, Bertagna said.

During the search, Espiritu allegedly sexually assaulted the teen multiple times and about 5 a.m. he drove her back home and let her go, Bertagna said.

The victim told family what had happened they called police, Bertagna said.

Espiritu was arrested the afternoon of March 1 and bail was set at $100,000.

Espiritu was charged March 3, and he posted bail and was released three days later, Bertagna said.

The defendant made court dates between March 20 and Aug. 4, Bertagna said.

Espiritu was wanted on a $150,000 warrant, Bertagna said.

Espiritu is a Latino man, who is 5-foot-10, weighs 155 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts was asked to call detectives at (714) 245-8378. Anonymous tips may be made to the Orange County Crime Stoppers organization at (855) TIP-OCCS.

— City News Service