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Golden Gate Park Assault Suspect Pleads Not Guilty, Ordered Held Without Bail

The case followed a week-long probe prompted by a parent's tip with crime-lab testing expedited after a 13-year-old reported an attack during soccer practice.

Overview

  • Dominick Valle-Buitrago, 19, pleaded not guilty as a judge ordered him jailed without bail and barred from contacting the victim.
  • He faces multiple felony counts including aggravated kidnapping, forcible lewd acts upon a child, assault with intent to commit a felony, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and sexual battery by restraint.
  • Police say the incident occurred Oct. 23 in a restroom near the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park while the victim, a 13-year-old girl, was at soccer practice.
  • Investigators focused on Valle-Buitrago after a parent’s tip, arrested him Oct. 30 in Pleasant Hill, and noted that officers are reviewing another sexual-assault report that may be connected.
  • Prosecutors are seeking detention on public-safety grounds and are awaiting DNA analysis from the victim’s clothing, while the suspect’s family cites significant mental-health and developmental issues and maintains his innocence.