Local Man Accused of Assault is Charged With 5 Felonies

Story updated at 7 p.m. with clarifications and comment from the District Attorney's office:

A 19-year-old man arrested in a Menifee neighborhood July 21 faces five felony charges, including assault with intent to commit rape and lewd acts on a child under the age of 14, according to jail records.

Michael Joseph Orrantia is being held at Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta with bail set at $1 million. His scheduled court appearance Friday was continued to Aug. 6, according to John Hall of the District Attorney's office. Orrantia is also charged with false imprisonment and residential burglary.

Orrantia is accused of entering a home in the 29000 block of Camino Cristal, near Kentfield Drive, and assaulting a young girl before being discovered by the victim's mother after the other child ran for help. Neighbors said Orrantia, who was arrested by police after fleeing the scene, lives just a few doors away from the victim.

If convicted as currently charged, the defendant faces a potential life sentence, Hall said.