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Santa Ana Man Behind Bars For Allegedly Raping 7-Year-Old Girl

SANTA ANA (CBS) — A 44-year-old Santa Ana man was put behind bars Tuesday on charges of sexually assaulting a girl in his apartment complex when she was about seven years old, according to police.

Claudio Huerta Martinez, who was denied bail, was in Orange County Jail, according to sheriff's records. Martinez was in court Monday, but his arraignment was postponed until Oct. 27, according to court records.

Martinez allegedly assaulted the girl in an apartment in the 2200 block of South Center Street in September and October of 2008, Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

When the girl was 9 years old, she told a friend who later told her grandmother, who told the victim's parents, her said.

The girl did not say anything earlier because Martinez allegedly threatened to hurt her if she did, Bertagna said.

"They had no idea," he said, referring to the girl's parents.  "(Martinez) has lived in the apartment complex before (the girl) was born, and he's longtime married with two kids, so they didn't think anything of it. He's been there forever."

The parents eventually told a school police officer about the allegations.

On Thursday, Martinez was questioned by Santa Ana police and arrested after making "incriminating statements," Bertagna said.  "At this time it appears she's the only (victim), but the potential is there (for more victims). But this is the only incident reported to us."

Martinez was charged with sexual intercourse or sodomy with a child younger than 10 years old, oral copulation or sexual with penetration with a child younger than 10, and lewd or lascivious acts with a minor, all felonies, according to Orange County court records.

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