Montebello man charged with multiple felony counts in 2012 kidnapping, rape of 6-year-old

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- A Montebello man has been charged with 12 felony counts in connection with a 2012 cold case involving the kidnapping and rape of a 6-year-old girl in Santa Ana, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Charges against Francisco Javier Lopez, 45, include one felony count of oral copulation of a child under the age of 11 and three felony counts of sexual penetration of a child under the age of 11, according to a joint press release from the Orange County District Attorney's office and the Santa Ana Police Department.

Lopez is also being charged with four sentencing enhancements of causing bodily injury to a child under 14 and aggravated kidnapping.

The victim was playing with a friend in front of her apartment when Lopez allegedly forced her into his car, police said. He then drove to a parking lot where he assaulted her.

The girl was later dropped off in the neighborhood.

If convicted on all charges, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Authorities were expected to hold a joint press conference Friday to discuss the statewide effort that led to his capture.