A Chula Vista man believed by police to be the suspect behind a series of groping incidents was arraigned today in South Bay Superior Court on three unrelated domestic violence charges.
Miguel Angel Malacara, 25, pleaded not guilty to two felony charges and one misdemeanor charge of domestic battery against his former girlfriend.
Chula Vista police arrested Malacara Wednesday after DNA evidence tied him to a groping incident where a female was bitten on the buttocks.
Deputy District Attorney Enrique Camarena said the DNA results came in around the same time a warrant was issued for his arrest on the domestic violence charges.
Malacara is being charged with corporal injustice, assault with a deadly weapon and battery of a current or former significant other.
Camarena said Malacara is facing five years for the felony charges alone.
Malacara and his former girlfriend lived together and dated for three years according to court documents. Malacara allegedly abused her in front of their four-year-old daughter.
A readiness conference is scheduled for March 7.
Chula Vista Police Chief David Bejarano said Malacara is also responsible for at least 13 other sexual batteries against females that occurred between Sept. 19, 2010 and Jan. 27.
Malacara would sneak up behind his victims, many of who were distracted and grabbed their chest, crotch and buttocks, police said.
Bejarano said other sexual assault victims will be asked to identify Malacara in a line up.
“Hopefully his arrest eliminates fear for females, especially for those who live in the area where the incidents occurred,” Bejarano said.
Malacara is being held without bail.
The groping investigation is ongoing.
The judge ordered that Malacara’s face not be published.
He was previously convicted on drug charges in December 2009.
Correction: In a previous version of this story it was incorrectly stated Malacara was granted $50,000 bail.
The Star-News regrets the error.
This story was updated at 9:55 a.m., Feb 26, 2011.
