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PRESS RELEASE
10/09/14
VISALIA MAN FOUND GUILTY OF RAPE
OF AN INTOXICATED WOMAN
On October 9, 2014, in the Visalia Division of the Tulare County Superior Court,
Department 12, the Honorable Judge Darryl Ferguson presiding, a jury found 20-yearold Ernesto Villegas, from Visalia, guilty of rape of an intoxicated woman.
While the victim was at a friend’s house for a New Year’s Eve party in Visalia, the
defendant was caught having sex with the intoxicated victim, who could not legally
consent.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 6, 2014 in Department 12. The defendant is facing
a sentence of up to eight years in prison, and will be required to register as a sex offender
for life, pursuant to Penal Code Section 290.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Cindy Underwood of the Special
Crimes Division. It was investigated by Detective Ford of the Visalia Police Department,
as well as Investigator Martha Rodriguez of the Office of the District Attorney’s Bureau
of Investigations.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare
Assistant District Attorney Anthony Fultz (559) 636-5494