The woman is in the U.S. on a tourist visa visiting her son, who studies here. She has two daughters in Mexico being cared for by their father. She wanted to bring her family together, so she turned to someone she thought was a "spiritual healer" for help.
Police allege Alberto Ramirez, 36, met the 33-year-old victim through an online social website. The Simi Valley woman only wants to be identified as "Karina" for her safety.
"He tells me he has experience," said Karina through an interpreter.
Karina alleges Ramirez passed himself off as a "spiritual healer," who encouraged her to undergo a cleansing to help bring her good fortune. She wanted her two daughters who live in Mexico to join her in California.
Karina and Ramirez met for dinner. Then Ramirez took her to a Santa Ana motel, claiming he needed a quiet place to perform the ritual.
The spiritual healing involves the healer using an egg to cure physical or spiritual illnesses.
After the procedure, Karina says Ramirez broke the egg and read a message.
"He broke the eggs and two glasses for the water, and he tells me it's bad. 'You have bad energy.' He tell me you need another cleaning but the second time, you need to take off your clothes," said Karina.
Karina alleges she reluctantly removed her clothes and was then attacked.
Karina says Ramirez choked her, raped her and threatened to kill her. She gave up fighting in order to survive, then went to police.
"Working with the detectives, they arrange for an additional meet, and when he comes here to Santa Ana to meet her, that's when the detectives were there and they take him into custody," said Santa Ana Police Corporal Anthony Bertagna.
Police are concerned there may be other potential victims.
Ramirez remained in custody on charges of rape and criminal threats. He was held on $100,000 bond.
If you have information about Ramirez, contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS.
