Friday, Feb. 12, 2010

Los Banos man guilty of rape

Sentencing is scheduled for next month

A jury on Thursday found a 36-year-old Los Banos man guilty of raping an intoxicated woman.

Henry Leonard Perez Jr. faces up to eight years in prison, after being convicted of one felony count of rape, which occurred last July.

Deputy District Attorney Alan Turner, the prosecutor in the case, said Perez raped the victim after she'd become heavily intoxicated at a party. The victim couldn't drive and had gone to the defendant's Los Banos residence to sober up, when the assault happened, Turner said.

Although Perez acknowledged having sex with the victim, he claimed it was consensual. Turner said.

Perez had known the victim for several years.

"This is a long established position of trust that he violated," Turner said.

Jury selection in the trial began Feb. 3 and jurors began deliberations Tuesday.

Perez is a former employee of the Los Banos Enterprise.

After Perez is released from prison, he must register with law enforcement as a convicted sex offender for the rest of his life.

He's scheduled to be sentenced March 16.

Michael Coughlin, perez's attorney, could not be reached before press time.

Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com