Last week in Santa Ana, a local resident is now facing burglary and sexual assault charges after three apparent incidents one of which he allegedly fondled a young girl as she slept and peeped at several women as they were undressing. Leonel Santana Cervantes, 43, was charged Friday with three felonies and one misdemeanor.

The allegations allege that Cervantes would seek out different residents including a neighborhood that has high-density apartment buildings. Cervantes lives within a mile from some of the victim’s homes but did not know the victims.

There were two incidents that happened in the summer and the last incident happened on Thursday morning, where a woman was changing in her bedroom and she reportedly saw a man in an alley, peering at her through her window. Cervantes was found hiding behind a nearby dumpster.

Cervantes matched the description of the man sought in all three incidents and made some “incriminating statements” to officers. If convicted, Cervantes faces a maximum sentence of 30 years to life in state prison, prosecutors said.

Are you or some one you love facing a similar charge. In California, the punishment alone for this conduct could be up to eight years in prison, as well as having to registering pursuant to the penal code 290, as a sexual offender. Burglary charges would add additional time in prison.

To prove that you are guilty of violating Penal Code Section 288(a), the People must prove that: 1. You willfully touched any part of a child’s body either on the bare skin or through the clothing; or That you willfully caused a child to touch your own body, or the body of someone else, either on the bare skin or through the clothing; 2. You committed the act with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passions, or sexual desires of yourself or the child; and 3. The child was under the age of 14 years at the time of the act.

If you or a loved one is facing this charge, contact the Southern California sex crimes attorneys at Wallin and Klarich. We at Wallin and Klarich have many years of experience successfully defending people charged with these types of crimes. We will work to aggressively defend you by investigating all aspects of your case. We will work to ensure that your rights are protected and that you clearly understand the legal process. The attorneys at Wallin & Klarich can be reached by phone at 1-877-230-1529 or through our website at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.