Crime & Safety

Abuser Sentenced For Molesting Girlfriend's Daughter's Friends

The investigation began when one victim, 11, made a New Year's resolution to tell someone, Sonoma County officials said.

SONOMA COUNTY, CA – A Santa Rosa man was sentenced today to 40 years to life in prison for sexual offenses against two children, the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office said.

Daves Mendez Rodriguez, 38, pleaded no contest in May to committing a sexual offense against a child 10 years old or younger and forcible rape.

The victims were sisters and the daughters of Rodriguez's girlfriend, the District Attorney's Office said.

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The 2018 investigation began when the 11-year-old girl made a New Year's resolution to tell someone what Rodriguez had been doing to her, and her older sister then also reported similar sexual abuse, the District
Attorney's Office said.

"The victims in this case showed incredible courage disclosing the abuse they suffered," Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch said.

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"Knowing the defendant will be incarcerated for many years to come will provide these children, as well as the community, with some sense of security," Ravitch said.

Rodriguez will not be eligible for parole until he has served 32 years in prison, the District Attorney's Office said.

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