New Cassel Man Convicted of Raping Woman in Empty Lot

A jury convicted a New Cassel man on Friday of raping a 28-year-old woman on a residential street in New Cassel in 2014 following a month-long trial, according to Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas.

Jose Nuñez-Garcia, 29, a native of Honduras, was convicted of all but one count against him. 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.

“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 the home of a relative 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.

Nuñez-Garcia faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and will have to register as a sex offender once he is released. He will be sentenced in court on Jan. 7, 2016.

Image via NCPD