Man given 104-year sentence for trafficking Gilroy woman

Andre Furtado controlled victim, even from jail and prison, for several years

SAN JOSE >> A man convicted of sexually exploiting a Gilroy woman for several years, even when he was in prison for violating parole stemming from abuse of the same v ictim, was given a 104-year prison sentence Tuesday.

Andre William Furtado, 33, of Watsonv ille was convicted in September of six felony charges encompassing human trafficking, pimping and failing to register as a sex offender.

The length of the sentence, issued by Santa Clara County Super ior

Court Judge Arthur Bocanegra, was influenced at least in part by evidence that was introduced, but not charged, indicating that Furtado had abused at least four other women in addition to the Gilroy woman.

“It brings to end a very long and prolific history that the defendant has of exploiting and abusing women,” Deputy District Attorney Patrick Vanier said.

Furtado most recently was arrested in August 2019 by sheriff’ s detectives after the victim came forward to authorities, spurred in part by Furtado’s reported threats to her father. An ensuing investigation yielded an array of photos, text messages and monitored phone calls that became evidence against Furtado.

Va ni er said after Furtado was convicted of human trafficking crimes in 2014 in Santa Cruz County involving the victim, after a prison stint he continued to force her into sex work, even as he was incarcerated for parole violations. The money she made, Vanier said, funded Furtado’s commissary and phone access while in custody.

Throughout their time together — which started as a dating relationship — Furtado also was found to have beaten the victim numerous times. The twomonth trial included examination of volumes of medical records spanning multiple states from injuries she reported were inflicted by Furtado.

“This sentence represents some final closure,” Vanier said, “where they will never have to worry about Mr. Furtado showing up in their lives.”