Man Charged With Assault of Young Girl Pleads Not Guilty

A Menifee man charged with sexual assault on a young girl entered a plea of not guilty to four felony counts Thursday, Aug. 27 during his arraignment at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.

Michael Orrantia, 19, is charged with assault with intent to commit rape; lewd acts on a child under the age of 14; false imprisonment; and residential burglary. He allegedly entered a house in the 29000 block of Camino Cristal in Menifee July 21 and assaulted a young girl before another child ran to get their mother. Orrantia, whom neighbors say lives a few houses away, was taken into custody in the neighborhood soon afterward.

Orrantia, seen here in an earlier court appearance, remains in custody on $1 million bail. According to John Hall, spokesman for the Riveride County District Attorney's Office, a felony settlement conference and bail hearing is scheduled for Sept. 24.