Teen Accused of Sexual Assault Ordered to Stand Trial

An 18-year-old man was ordered today to stand trial in connection with charges that he raped and sexually assaulted a 19-year-old clerk at a convenience store in El Monte.

Pomona Superior Court Judge George Genesta ordered Joseph Leo Amaya to return to court Dec. 27 for arraignment on two counts each of forcible rape and sexual penetration by a foreign object and one count of attempted sexual penetration by a foreign object in connection with the alleged attack Oct. 19.

Prosecutors allege that Amaya approached the young woman as she worked the night shift at the Peck Mini Mart at 4164 N. Peck Road, left the store and then returned when the clerk was getting ready to close the store.

Amaya allegedly forced his way back in as the clerk tried to lock the doors. He allegedly barricaded the store's entrance doors and dragged the young woman to the back of the store, where he repeatedly sexually assaulted her, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Public tips and investigation by the U.S. Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force and county sheriff's and probation departments led to Amaya's arrest Oct. 26 in West Covina.

Amaya allegedly had been hiding with family and friends, moving from El Monte to La Puente and Hacienda Heights, according to El Monte police.

Amaya was in a vehicle with six adults and one minor when he was arrested, police said.

Amaya is facing a maximum sentence of 125 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney's Office.

-- City News Service