Former firefighter convicted of 2015 sexual assault, prosecutors say

A former Sacramento firefighter was convicted of sexually assaulting his girlfriend’s friend for several hours after he forced himself on her as she slept on his couch seven years ago, prosecutors said.

A jury on Friday found Christian Henry Madrigal, 32, guilty of assault with the intent to commit rape, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday in a news release.

On April 13, 2015, the victim had gone out with friends to celebrate her birthday.

One of her friends was dating Madrigal at the time. He had just joined the Sacramento Fire Department.

After their night out celebrating, the victim, her friend and Madrigal went back to stay the night at Madrigal’s K Street apartment. Prosecutors said the victim was asleep on the couch when Madrigal forced himself on her, and he then sexually assaulted her for several hours that night.

The following morning, the victim reported the sexual assault to law enforcement and underwent a sexual assault examination.

In 2018, detectives reinitiated the investigation and interviewed all of the witnesses who were present on the night of the sexual assault. The District Attorney’s Crime Lab found traces of DNA on the victim’s underwear that were consistent with Madrigal’s DNA, prosecutors said.

Madrigal had been free on bail during his trial, but he was ordered into custody after the verdict was reached Friday. On Monday, Madrigal remained held at the Sacramento County Jail.

He is scheduled to return to Sacramento Superior Court for his sentencing hearing June 30. Prosecutors said Madrigal faces a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Deputy District Attorney Catrina Ranum prosecuted the case.