A San Jose janitor has been charged with two violent sex attacks – less than a month apart – on
young women who were walking home from work along the same stretch of a busy roadway.
Milton Meza, 29, was arrested on Oct. 4 after being identified through DNA testing from evidence found after both nighttime assaults, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney.
Meza is charged with kidnapping, rape, and assault with the intent to commit rape. He is in custody
with no bail,and is scheduled to next appear in court on Jan. 21.
“This case illustrates the combination of excellent police work and the effectiveness of DNA
databases,” prosecutor Clarissa Hamilton said in a statement.
Around 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 7, the first woman reported being attacked as she was walking home
from work along a sidewalk beside McKee Road near Interstate 680. The defendant grabbed the
18-year-old and pulled her into some bushes. He choked her, smashed her head against the
ground, threatened to kill her, and sexually assaulted her, prosecutors said. She was helped by a passerby, who saw her on a median strip frantically seeking help.
The second victim was attacked on Oct. 1 as she was walking home from work at 11:15 a.m. along the same stretch of sidewalk where the previous victim was attacked. In this case, prosecutors said the 20-year-old woman was on the phone with her boyfriend when she was attacked and
pulled into the bushes. She managed to get away and ran for help. Police found DNA evidence
that led them to the first assault and Meza.
Anyone with information about the cases should call San Jose Police Detective Michael Nasser
at (408) 277-4102.
