New Cassel Man Gets Prison Time for Raping Woman in Empty Lot

A New Cassel man convicted of raping a 28-year-old woman on a residential street in New Cassel in 2014 was sentenced on Tuesday to 15 years in prison, according to Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas.

Jose Nuñez-Garcia, 30, a native of Honduras, was convicted of all but one count against him in November 2015 following a month-long trial. He was convicted of first degree rape, third degree rape and first degree sexual abuse. He was acquitted of resisting arrest. The jury deliberated their decision for approximately two days.

A judge also sentenced Nuñez-Garcia to 15 years of post-release supervision and he will have to register as a sex offender once he is released. The NCDA recommended a sentence of 20 years in prison with 20 years of post-release supervision.

“This defendant raped a young woman, a complete stranger, in a terrifying attack on a residential street last year,” Singas said in a press release.

On April 27, 2104, the woman was walking to a relative's home at approximately 4:40 a.m. when Nuñez-Garcia began following her, the DA says. When the woman passed an empty lot, Nuñez-Garcia knocked her to the ground and raped her, according to the report.

The lot was covered in debris, mud and broken glass and the woman received received multiple abrasions, lacerations and bruises from the attack. She has since recovered from her physical injuries, the DA says.

A witness who was a few houses down the street saw the woman run from the lot, half naked and crying for help, with Nuñez-Garcia following her, the DA says. Nuñez-Garcia then fled in the opposite direction before he was apprehended by the witness, according to the report.

Nuñez-Garcia admitted to raping the woman and told NCPD Special Victims Squad that the “devil got into me” and “I lost my mind.”

Nuñez-Garcia’s attorney claimed the police made up his confession and the woman gave consent to have sex with Nuñez-Garcia in the empty lot.

“I’m grateful to the police officers who apprehended this defendant and to the jury for its month of service and careful consideration in this case,” Singas said.

Image via NCPD