Could It Happen In Martinez?

Two young men could face life in prison after being convicted last week in connection with the October 2009 gang rape of a 16-year-old girl outside of Richmond High School's homecoming dance that drew national outrage.

Questions remain: How could that rape have ever happened? And how can we prevent it from happening here?

RAINN: The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, estimates that every year there are 207,754 sexual assaults in the U.S., but that 54 percent of all sexual assaults in the U.S. go unreported to police.

If you have any questions or concerns about how to prevent rape, or if you suspect someone has been raped, contact the Martinez Police Department Investigations Division at (925) 372-3440.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Office shared the following tips to prevent rape by intoxication, a growing felony, especially among 18-25 year olds.

Prevent Rape

• Face the facts: If she's wasted, intoxicated, asleep, or unconscious, she cannot give legal consent, even if she said "yes"
• Face the law: Rape by intoxication is a serious felony that can carry 8 years in state prison
• Drink responsibly - binge drinking is dangerous to your health, and can impair your judgment
• If your friend tries to take advantage of a woman who is too intoxicated or passed out, tell him to stop and explain that it's illegal and not right
• Pay attention to the warning signs including slurred speech and vomiting

Protect Yourself

• Stay with your trusted friends at all times
• Have a safety plan for you and each member of your group to get home
• Drink responsibly - binge drinking is dangerous to your health, and can impair your judgment
• Decide ahead of time how much you can safely drink while maintaining your good judgment. Stick to that limit.
• Don't accept a drink that is open, as you risk ingesting a date rape drug
• Never leave an intoxicated friend unattended, and make sure that you can count on the same for you. Help your friend
by giving her water to prevent dehydration, and putting her on her side to avoid choking on vomit. If symptoms worsen, call 911 as she could have alcohol poisoning
• Always lock your doors and windows, and if you are looking after a friend, make sure that doors and windows are locked before you leave

Get Help

• Call 911 if the crime just occurred, or call police or Sheriff dispatch to report the crime
• Call a crisis hotline to get help
• Preserve evidence: don't bathe, douche, urinate, eat, drink, smoke, gargle, brush teeth, chew gum
• Don't wash any clothing
• Understand that this is NOT your fault; there's a whole network of professionals ready to help you

The gang rape at Richmond High School shocked the Bay Area, and Deputy District Attorney John Cope said during the trial that about 20 men and teenage boys were present as the victim was raped, beaten and robbed over a more than two-hour period.

The victim was severely injured, suffering head wounds, a bone fracture, burns and hypothermia, Cope said. Her blood-alcohol level after the attack was 0.35 percent, he said.

Two separate juries found 22-year-old Jose Montano, of Richmond and 20-year-old Marcelles Peter of Pinole guilty of rape in concert, forced sexual penetration in concert and forcible oral copulation in concert with a special allegation of causing great bodily injury.
 
Both defendants could face maximum prison terms of 33 years to life. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 15.

Two more defendants, 46-year-old John Crane and Elvis Torrentes, 25, both of Richmond, are awaiting trial on lesser sexual assault charges.
          
Cope said today that the investigation into the gang rape turned up DNA evidence from multiple other suspects.

Additional arrests could be made in the case if matches are found for those DNA profiles, he said.

— Bay City News contributed to this report