Former Mexican Police Officer Sentenced In Aurora Sex Attacks

CENTENNIAL, CO -- A former Mexican police officer with an illegal immigration status was sentenced March 21 in Arapahoe County court to 72 years to life for raping one Aurora woman and attempting to sexually assault a second woman, a statement from the 18th Judicial District Attorney said.

On Dec. 6, 2017, an Arapahoe County jury found Ricardo Corral-Venegas, 27, guilty of all charges against him.

Judge Jeffrey Holmes sentenced Corral-Venegas to 32 years for sex assault, 16 years for kidnapping, 16 years for burglary, 4 years for attempted sex assault and 4 years for attempted burglary, adding up to 72 years.

The DA's office explained the sentencing:

Sentences for sex assault are indeterminate. After the 72 years has been served, it will be up to the Colorado Department of Corrections to determine whether Corral-Venegas is sufficiently rehabilitated to be released back into society. If that is ever the case, he faces 20 years to life on parole.

Aurora police were called to the Santana Ridge Condominiums on South Geneva Way on Oct. 4, 2016. A woman who lived there reported a man had forced his way into her apartment and raped her at knifepoint. Her one-year-old son was in the apartment but was not injured. The man left, threatening to kill the woman and her son if she told anyone or called police. The woman was able to give police a detailed description of the suspect.

On Oct. 13, police were called to the same complex on a report of an attempted sexual assault. The woman was able to keep the man out when he tried to force his way inside. She locked the door and called police with a suspect description.

Police quickly located the suspect, Corral-Venegas, in a nearby restaurant and took him into custody. They determined he was responsible for both incidents.

The second victim spoke to the court during sentencing, a statement from the DA's office said.

“I am going to live the rest of my life bearing this trauma. … Every time my doorbell rings, I relive the events that happened that day,” she said. “This has caused me to lose my trust in society and humanity as a whole. You can’t get that back.”

Investigators found that Corral-Venegas had been a police officer in Chihuahua, Mexico. A warrant there alleged he raped five women. He entered the United States illegally, was deported and re-entered the country illegally again.

Prosecutors referenced that in seeking the maximum sentence of 140 years to life.

Judge Holmes praised the victims, saying, “Both young women have shown exceptional intestinal fortitude and courage and clarity in dealing with this horrible situation.”

Holmes added: “Police officers everywhere are responsible to try to protect the public, not prey on them.”

The first Aurora victim of Corral-Venegas also addressed the court, according to the DA's office.

“He has taken a part of me I can never get back, and he put my child in danger … for that, I hope he rots. He is a sociopath beyond repair,” the woman said. “He has made a place for himself among the rapists, scumbags and pedophiles of the earth, and that is where he belongs. … Today is his reckoning, and his time is up.”

Image Ricardo Corral-Venegas via 19th Judicial District Attorney's Office.