A 23-year-old active duty Marine was arrested on Tuesday for the rape of an unconscious person in Twentynine Palms in June.
San Bernardino Sheriff’s deputies were called to Cactus Drive in Twentynine Palms on June 9 at about 7:24 am for a report of a rape of an unconscious person, according to a news release. After an investigation, it was discovered a group of civilians and active duty Marines drank alcohol at the incident location and spent the night.
Witnesses told police that they saw Juan Cruz-Cornejo engage in a sexual act with the unconscious victim in the early morning hours. Cruz-Cornejo, an active duty Marine from Oceanside, fled the location and his whereabouts were unknown.
During the investigation, Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Cruz-Cornejo. On Tuesday, Cruz-Cornejo turned himself in at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department 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. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME.
