Full Notification

DATE/TIME: April 8, 2020, / 10:10 a.m.

INCIDENT: Rape of an Unconscious Person

LOCATION: 69200 block of Cactus Drive, Twentynine Palms

SUSPECT: Juan Francisco Cruz-Cornejo, 23-year-old resident of Oceanside

VICTIM: Confidential

SUMMARY:
On Sunday, June 9, 2019, at approximately 7:24 a.m, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Morongo Basin Station, responded to the 69200 block of Cactus Drive in Twentynine Palms for a report of a rape of an unconscious person. After investigation, it was discovered a group of civilians and active duty Marines drank alcohol at the incident location and spent the night. In the early morning hours, witnesses saw Juan Cruz-Cornejo engaged in a sexual act with the unconscious victim. Cruz-Cornejo, an active duty Marine, fled the location and his whereabouts were unknown.

During the investigation, Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Cruz-Cornejo.

On Tuesday, April 7, 2020, Detective Benjamin Henry was notified Cruz-Cornejo turned himself in at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Henry responded to the base and arrested Cruz-Cornejo. He was booked into Central Detention Center for rape of an unconscious person and he is being held in lieu of a $200,000. bail.

Anyone with information related to the investigation, is asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Morongo Basin Station at (760)366-4175. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME.


Refer: Detective B. Henry
Station: Morongo Basin Station
Case #: 201900926
Phone No. (760) 366-4175


JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department

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