Judge sentences convicted rapist to 6 years in prison
Juan Daniel Vergara, convicted by a Tuolumne County Superior Court jury in September of raping and forcing oral copulation on a female victim last year, was sentenced on Friday, Oct. 29, to six years in state prison.
Vergara, 24, was a resident of San Fernando when he was arrested by the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office in May last year.
Tuolumne County District Attorney Cassandra Jenecke announced Vergara’s sentencing on Wednesday. Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Novelli prosecuted the case before Tuolumne County Superior Court Presiding Judge Kevin Seibert.
The District Attorney’s Office said in a statement that the crime occurred the morning after Vergara and the victim, whom the statement referred to as Jane
Doe, attended a gathering of her family in Sonora on May 12, 2020.
“Early the next morning, she went outside to check on her cousin when Mr. Vergara, who she considered family, took her by the wrist and led her away from the house,” the statement said. “Mr. Vergara then forcibly raped and orally copulated Ms. Doe who repeatedly told Mr. Vergara to stop.”
The victim reported the crime to law enforcement that same morning, the statement said.
Vergara, accused of two felonies, faced a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison. Novelli requested that Vergara be given eight years in prison, but Seibert sentenced him to six years, the statement said.
Vergara will also have to register as a sex offender, the statement said.
“The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the members of the jury for their careful attention to the case and their thoughtful deliberations after the powerful and courageous testimony of Jane Doe and her family,” the statement said. “Special thanks to the friends and family as well as Victim Witness Advocate Dixie Skye who supported Jane Doe through the court process. Sexual assault has a devastating effect on the victim, victim’s family, and our community.”