Bell Gardens Man Guilty Of Sexually Assaulting Ex's Teenage Daughter For 10 Years
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A man was found guilty Friday of sexually assaulting his former girlfriend's teenage daughter for a decade, but acquitted of kidnapping her.
A Fullerton jury also deadlocked 9-3 in favor of guilt on a rape charge against Isidro Medrano Garcia, of Bell Gardens, prompting prosecutors to drop that count.
In 2004, prosecutors say Garcia kidnapped his former live-in-girlfriend's teenage daughter from the family's Santa Ana-area home and sexually assaulted her for more than a decade.
In June 2014, he pleaded not guilty to one felony count of forcible rape, three felony counts of lewd acts on a minor and one felony count of kidnapping to commit a sexual offense.
The victim, who is reportedly from Mexico, described years of physical and sexual abuse during this time.
According to prosecutors, the woman was relocated at least four times while she was held captive. She was reportedly given fake identities in order to keep her hidden from both family and authorities.
Police said the victim attempted to escape from Garcia twice but she was beaten severely.
If convicted as charged, Garcia faces a maximum life sentence of 17 years to life in state prison. Sentencing is set for April 15.