West LA Times

A Santa Monica resident awoke to a nightmare after falling asleep in a car and experiencing inappropriate touching. The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, recounted the harrowing incident where she was subjected to unwanted advances before refusing the suspect's offer to walk her home. Upon reaching her residence, she discovered a significant lapse in time since she was picked up.

Following a thorough investigation by Santa Monica detectives, the perpetrator was identified as 34-year-old Los Angeles resident Fernando Macias Morales. The authorities swiftly apprehended Morales on April 5, 2024, in the San Fernando Valley.

Morales is facing serious charges under the California Penal Code, including kidnapping to commit a sexual act (California Penal Code 209(b)(1)), sexual penetration of a person intoxicated or under sedation (California Penal Code 289(e)), and oral copulation of a person intoxicated person or under sedation (California Penal Code 287(i)).

The arrest of the suspect brings a semblance of closure to the victim and highlights the diligent efforts of law enforcement in addressing cases of sexual assault.