Man Pleads Not Guilty to Raping 12-Year-Old Girl, Breaking into San Gabriel Valley Home

A 34-year-old San Bernardino County man pleaded not guilty today to breaking into a Claremont home and raping a 12-year-old girl.

Joseph Davall is facing seven felony counts—two of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count each of forcible rape, sexual penetration by a foreign object, assault to commit a felony during the commission of a first-degree burglary, first-degree burglary with a person present, and making criminal threats, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

The Yucca Valley resident allegedly broke into the victim's home on March 21 while she was asleep. Police said the girl had been at home alone and that she tried continuously to fight him off.

Authorities said they linked Davall to the attack through a DNA database.

When police first attempted to arrest Davall, he led them on a short chase back to his home. A search of the residence following his arrest uncovered more evidence of the crime, according to police.

If convicted as charged, Davall faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The criminal complaint alleges that Davall has prior convictions for making criminal threats in 1999 and 2001 and grand theft in 2000. He is due back in court July 14, when a date will be set for a hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to order him to stand trial.

—City News Service