Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 11/29/06

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Theresa Menshek (707) 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine M. Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

LIFE SENTENCE IMPOSED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT CRIMES

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that Superior Court Judge Elliot Daum sentenced Michael Gebre to a prison term of 25 years to life for sexual assaults Gebre committed during the commission of residential burglaries.

District Attorney Passalacqua said, "This life sentence should make it clear that those who sexually assault victims in their homes will be severely punished."

On October 26, 2006, Gebre pled no contest to one count of a lewd act upon a five year old child during the commission of a burglary and one count of forcible oral copulation on an adult female during the commission of a burglary.

In September of 2005, Gebre was also sentenced to prison in the state of Washington for committing sexual assaults during burglaries. He was sentenced to serve 216 months to life in prison for his crimes there. He currently faces additional charges in Arizona for sexual assaults he committed on a co-ed the night before her graduation.

District Attorney Passalacqua noted that Gebre poses a serious danger to the community at large and especially to children and women. "Gebre was extradited to Sonoma County so we could obtain a life sentence in our jurisdiction and ensure that he never harms another person."

Chief Deputy District Attorney Joan Risse was the prosecutor assigned to this case.