Ex-Customs Officer Convicted Of OC Sex Assaults
SANTA ANA (AP) — Orange County prosecutors say a former customs officer has been convicted and sentenced to six years in prison for raping two women.
Spokeswoman Farrah Emami says 33-year-old Miguel Lerma pleaded guilty Tuesday to two felony charges for rapes that occurred while he worked for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
In Sept. 2009, Lerma met one victim while she was out drinking in Long Beach and raped her after she blacked out. She awoke lying in bushes alone.
In Nov. 2010, Lerma picked up a prostitute, drove her to an industrial area in Garden Grove and raped her after she became frightened and tried to get away.
Both victims reported the rapes to police and submitted DNA evidence, linking the attacks to Lerma.
He's also sentenced to lifetime sex offender registration.
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