Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 09/18/2009

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Terry Menshek - (707) 565-3098 Media Spokesperson, Deputy District Attorney Tashawn Sanders

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

ELDER CARETAKER GUILTY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ON SENIOR

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced that on Thursday, September 17, 2009, Humberto Carrizales Rodriguez (50), pled guilty to all charges stemming from an August 7, 2009, assault upon an 88-year-old woman. The charges included violations of Penal Code Section 261(a)(2), Forcible Rape; Penal Code Section 368(b)(1) Elder Abuse with Injury; and as to both counts an enhancement pursuant to Penal Code section 667.9(a) Violent Crime upon an Elder.

District Attorney Passalacqua stated, “Violent crimes committed against the elderly are horrific. This crime is even more egregious because the defendant abused a position of trust in committing the offense. We will seek the maximum sentence authorized under the law.”

Rodriguez was a caretaker at the Wild Rose Living Facility in the City of Santa Rosa, where the victim resided. Rodriguez had previously solicited sex from the victim and she routinely refused his advances. On the date of the incident, Rodriguez again approached the victim, and told her that he had brought condoms to the facility and that “it wont hurt. ”The victim told him no and eventually went to bed. Rodriguez came into her room and climbed into bed with her. He told victim that he was going to have sex with her and the victim told him no. Rodriguez proceeded to remove her clothes and forcibly raped the victim as she continually told him to stop.

Rodriguez will be sentenced on November 17, 2009, before the Honorable Arthur Wick. He faces a maximum sentence of 9 years in state prison. He will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Deputy District Attorney Tania Partida was the assigned prosecutor on the case. Detective Joel Pedersen with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department was the lead investigator.