NORWALK (CNS) - A man pleaded no contest today to assaulting a 16-year- old girl who was followed into the restroom of a Whittier grocery store.
Steven Magdaleno, 39, is facing eight years in state prison in connection with his plea to assault with intent to commit a felony, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies from the Norwalk station responded at about 2 p.m. Sept. 18 to a Stater Bros. store, where the teen told detectives that she had been followed into a restroom at the store by a man who attempted to sexually assault her, authorities said.
The victim screamed for help and store employees and customers came to her aid, according to detectives. Employees entered the bathroom and subsequently detained the suspect pending the arrival of deputies, according to authorities.
Magdaleno has remained behind bars since then, jail records show. He was initially charged with the assault count, along with one felony count each of false imprisonment by violence, attempted escape from custody and one misdemeanor count of giving false information to a police officer. Magdaleno is due back in a Norwalk courtroom Oct. 28 for sentencing. In a statement last month announcing the case, District Attorney George Gascón said, ``Brazen crimes like these are shocking to the entire community because the girl and her family should have felt safe in that space. I am thankful to the customers and store employees who showed bravery and courage in intervening on this victim's behalf.''