Newly released reports provide details on how torture suspects took over woman's apartment | News

In June, Crystal Tenner said, a neighbor introduced her to a friend of his and said the man would be living in her apartment to provide protection.

The friend, Franco "Beast" Ochoa, stayed with Tenner for two days. During that time, he beat her, sliced her with a machete and set her apartment on fire, according to court documents.

Ochoa, 50, and his 42-year-old wife, Amalia Lopez, who Tenner said was present and participated in at least one assault, are charged with crimes including torture and face life in prison if convicted. Each is being held on $1 million bail.

According to newly released court documents, Tenner, interviewed by sheriff's investigators while recovering from her injuries, said the neighbor introduced her to Ochoa on June 23. She let Ochoa inside her apartment in the 300 block of Troy Street because he was "being nice" to her.

Once inside, his demeanor changed.

Tenner said Ochoa started putting on clothing owned by her cousin, Jovan Taylor, the documents said. She told him to stop and he became angry.

Ochoa forced Taylor to leave, Tenner told investigators, threatening him with a machete. She said she didn't call law enforcement because her cellphone didn't work. 

Later, Ochoa grabbed Tenner by the neck and punched her four or five times, the documents said. Tenner said she believed Ochoa was high on methamphetamine at the time as she had earlier smoked meth with him. 

After beating her, Tenner said, Ochoa left the apartment. He soon returned with Lopez, who he introduced as his wife, and said she would also be staying in the apartment, the documents said. 

Tenner refused. Ochoa then told his wife to beat her, according to the documents. 

Lopez punched her several times as she tried to block the blows, Tenner told investigators. She said Ochoa threw a glass jar containing pickled peppers at her, and it shattered on her shoulder, spraying pepper juice in her eyes.

After that, Lopez forced her to clean the bathroom and, along with Ochoa, confined her to the apartment, the documents said. 

During the afternoon of June 24, Ochoa sharpened a machete, Tenner told investigators. Around 10 p.m., she said, he attacked her with it, swinging at her repeatedly she tried blocking the blade with her arms. 

Cut numerous times and bleeding profusely, Tenner fell to the ground. Ochoa poured an off-white powder on her and told her she was the devil, she said.

Ochoa then piled up some of her belongings in the apartment and set them on fire, according to the documents. She said she believes he meant for the fire to destroy evidence.

After Ochoa and Lopez left, Tenner kicked out a window and escaped the burning apartment, the documents said. She was later found in a parking lot and rushed to a hospital.

She suffered a number of deep cuts to her arms and hands, and doctors said some fingers might have to be amputated, according to the documents. 

Ochoa and Lopez were arrested July 30 in Oxnard. They are next due in court on Sept. 13.