SANTA MONICA—The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office revealed that Dylan James Jensen, 41, was charged in court on Thursday, June 7 with breaking into the Santa Monica apartment of a 66-year-old woman and sexually assaulting her.
Deputy District Attorney Oksana Sigal indicated Jensen faces one felony count each of first-degree residential burglary, person present, sodomy by use of force, forcible oral copulation and two counts each of forcible rape and sexual battery. Case SA098166 includes special allegations of personal use of a knife and commission of sexual offenses during residential burglary.
Jensen pleaded not guilty to the charges and is expected back in court on July 11 to set a date for a preliminary hearing in Department W31 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Airport Branch.
According to the SMPD, on Monday, June 4 at about 5:55 a.m., officers responded to a radio call for service at an apartment complex in the 2900 block of 4th Street regarding a sexual assault that just transpired. Upon arriving to the area, officers located a possible suspect near 3rd Street and Ashland Avenue. He was detained and SMPD Detectives responded for an investigation.
Following a preliminary investigation, detectives determined that Jensen entered the victim’s apartment through an unlocked sliding door of an elevated patio. He retrieved a knife from the kitchen and proceeded to the victim’s bedroom while she was sleeping in her bed. The victim was awoken by Jensen who forced himself on the victim and sexually assaulted her before fleeing the location. The victim immediately called 9-1-1 and was able to identify the suspect.
Canyon News spoke with Lt. Saul Rodriguez of the SMPD via email about the case. Lt. Rodriguez indicated that the victim did not know the suspect. When asked if the suspect could be involved in other incidents in the city, Lt. Rodriguez replied, “[It is] unknown if he is related to any other similar crimes.” Lt. Rodriguez added that the suspect did not attempt to flee police after being cornered.
Bail was set at more than $1.59 million. If convicted as charged, Jensen could face up to 25 years to life in state prison. The case is still under investigation by the SMPD. Anyone with details related to this incident is asked to contact Detective Murphy at (310) 458-8941; Sergeant Williams (310) 458-8475; or the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491.
