A Mountain View barber accused of sexually assaulting more than 19 men has been captured in Guatemala after fleeing the United States, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday.
Franklin Enrique Sarceno Orla, 35, was originally arrested in August 2024 on sexual assault charges but managed to flee the country after posting $250,000 bail. Guatemalan authorities later arrested him, and he has since been extradited to the U.S. He is scheduled to be arraigned on 43 felony counts of sexual assault on Monday in Palo Alto, prosecutors said.
“You can run, but you can’t hide,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen stated. “This violent criminal thought that fleeing to Central America would protect him from facing justice for his attacks. We never let time, resources, or international borders stop us from seeking justice.”
Investigation Details
The Mountain View Police Department launched its investigation in July 2024 after a man reported waking up injured and disoriented following a night of drinking with Sarceno Orla. Forensic tests later confirmed the man had been sexually assaulted. Another victim told police he lost consciousness while drinking beers with Sarceno Orla, who was also his barber.
Further investigation revealed that Sarceno Orla may have assaulted more than 60 men since 2018, according to prosecutors. Many victims described a similar pattern: they would drink with him, pass out mysteriously, and wake up at his home injured. Evidence seized by police reportedly included videos of unconscious victims.
After being released on bail for his 2024 arrest, Sarceno Orla skipped his scheduled court appearance and fled the U.S. the night before his hearing.
He has now been returned to Santa Clara County custody and is expected to face arraignment Monday on multiple felony charges.
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