Police officers responded to the area of Greenville Street and Warner Avenue after a woman reported she had been kidnapped and r*ped the night prior, according to the SAPD.
The victim, a 48-year-old woman, told police she had arranged to meet with the known suspect, later identified as Nelson Rivera Valle (37) of Los Angeles.
When the victim and suspect met at a motel, a verbal altercation ensued, during which the suspect physically and s*xually assaulted the victim, causing significant injuries.
Today, September 4, 2025, Special Crimes Section conducted follow-up and located Rivera Valle at his residence in Los Angeles.
He was taken into custody and booked at the Santa Ana Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and multiple s*xual assault-related offenses. His bail was set at $1,000,000.
SAPD detectives believe there could be additional victims or witnesses to this incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective M. Thomas at 714-245-8346, mthomas@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
Nelson Rivera Valle, the suspect arrested in Santa Ana, faces serious legal consequences under California law for assault with a deadly weapon and multiple sexual assault-related offenses. Here’s a plain-language breakdown of what those charges typically mean:
Assault with a Deadly Weapon (ADW) – California Penal Code § 245(a)(1)
This charge applies when someone attacks or attempts to attack another person using a weapon capable of causing death or serious injury. The weapon doesn’t have to be a gun or knife—it can be any object used in a harmful way, like a bottle, bat, or even a car.
- If charged as a felony, penalties may include:
- 2 to 4 years in state prison
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- A strike under California’s Three Strikes Law
- Loss of firearm rights
- Formal probation in limited cases
- If charged as a misdemeanor, penalties may include:
- Up to 1 year in county jail
- Up to $1,000 in fines
- Informal probation
Aggravating factors—like prior convictions or the severity of the attack—can increase the sentence.
S*xual Assault Charges
While the exact charges haven’t been listed publicly, they likely include r*pe, s*xual battery, and possibly aggravated s*xual assault. These are among the most serious felonies in California.
- R*pe (Penal Code § 261):
- 3 to 8 years in state prison
- If the victim suffered great bodily injury, the sentence can increase significantly
- Mandatory s*x offender registration
- Aggravated s*xual assault (especially involving force or injury):
- Up to life in prison, depending on the circumstances
Additional Considerations
- Because Rivera Valle’s bail is set at $1,000,000, it indicates the court views him as a high-risk individual.
- If convicted of multiple felonies, sentences can be stacked consecutively, meaning he could serve decades in prison.
- If he has prior felony convictions, California’s Three Strikes Law could apply, potentially leading to 25 years to life.
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