Temecula Man Accused of Rape Arrested

A 31-year-old Temecula man suspected of sexually assaulting a woman as he walked her home from a party last month was arrested Friday and booked on three felony charges, including rape.

Joseph Eric Moorhead was at a party on Nov. 17 in the 29000 block of Solana Way in Temecula when he offered to walk a female acquaintance home, according to the Riverside Sheriff’s Department. As they were walking to her home, Moorhead made sexual advances that were rejected. He then pushed the woman behind a building and sexually assaulted her, according to sheriff’s Sgt. K. McDonald.

The alleged assault was reported to Temecula police on Dec. 7 at around 4:25 p.m., and investigators identified Moorhead as a suspect and arrested him at 11 p.m. He was booked into the Southwest Detention Center for rape and two other felony sex charges, as well as misdemeanor battery.

Bail was set at $55,000. A court date has been scheduled for Dec. 12.