News Releases

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that Steven Magdaleno was charged today with attempting to sexually assault a 16-year-old girl at a grocery store bathroom in Whittier over the weekend.

“It is appalling that someone tried to sexually assault a 16-year-old girl in the middle of the day in a grocery store restroom,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Brazen crimes like these are shocking to the entire community because the girl and her family should have felt safe in that space.

I am thankful to the customers and store employees who showed bravery and courage in intervening on this victim’s behalf. I want to encourage anyone who has been sexually assaulted to report these crimes and get the help they need to heal from this devastating trauma.”

Magdaleno (dob 12/28/83) was charged in case VA159250 with one felony count each of assault to commit rape, false imprisonment by violence and attempted escape from custody. He also faces one misdemeanor count of giving false information to a police officer.

He is expected to be arraigned tomorrow in Department 5 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Bellflower Branch.

The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.