Trial starts for man accused of raping women

Opening statements were made Wednesday in the jury trial of a Costa Mesa man accused of raping two females, including a 17-year-old.

Prosecutors say Jaime Zamora Ramirez, 42, raped the girl at his home in July 2009 after luring her there to pick up paperwork for the Fountain Valley dry cleaning business they both worked at, according to news releases from the D.A.’s office.

He also allegedly threatened to report her undocumented immigration status if she reported the sexual assault. He also is accused of raping a friend in October 2008 in her apartment.

Ramirez is charged with two felony counts of forcible rape, with a sentence enhancement for a prior conviction for vehicular manslaughter, according to a news release.

If convicted, Ramirez faces up to 60 years in prison. He is set to appear in Department C-27, Santa Ana Central Justice Center.

— Lauren Williams