No contest plea in Menlo Park jogger assault

The young man who approached and allegedly tried to force himself on a Menlo Park jogger last September pleaded no contest on Jan. 24 to a charge of felony assault with intent to commit a sexual offense, on the condition that he be sentenced to two years of state prison. He is in custody on $150,000 bail.

Rogelio Alexander Artiga, a 19-year-old from East Palo Alto, had previously pleaded not guilty to three felonies and a misdemeanor tied to the attack.

On Sept. 17, a 33-year-old woman was out jogging in Menlo Park around 4:30 p.m. when, near the intersection of Oak Court and Woodland Avenue, Artiga jogged toward her and asked, “Do you like to dance?” according to prosecutors.

She said no, and continued running. But he followed her.

She called 911, but Artiga reportedly grabbed her from behind, put a hand over her genital area and moved her over several feet into the brush. While she was on the phone with the police, he grabbed her phone and threw it.

He allegedly then tried to pull her pants down, but she screamed and fought back, yelling that she would kill him for attacking her.