Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Charges of Rape of Young Female Relative

By Bay City News—

A man who sexually abused a young female relative and kept her largely confined to their Richmond home for more than a decade pleaded guilty Wednesday to rape charges and will soon face sentencing.

Raul Ochoa, 52, pleaded guilty in Contra Costa County Superior Court on Wednesday to one count of forcible lewd acts on a child and two counts of forcible rape, Deputy District Attorney Ryan Wagner said.

Ochoa is expected to get a 22-year prison sentence in exchange for the guilty plea. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 11.

Wagner said Ochoa began forcing sex on the victim, with whom he lived, when she was 12 years old.

Over the years, the defendant strictly controlled the victim's whereabouts and insisted she be home-schooled.

At one point, he had the victim help him build a backyard shed where he would rape her on an ongoing basis, Wagner said.

Ochoa's control over the victim made it difficult for her to leave, according to the prosecutor.

Wagner said he did not know whether any other adults or family members were aware of the abuse.

On Aug. 16, 2012, the then-27-year-old victim finally escaped and reported the abuse to police.

"She basically had her whole childhood stolen from her. She's an extremely strong, courageous woman for having been forced to undergo this and have the courage to make it out," Wagner said.

Ochoa was quickly arrested after the woman escaped and has remained in custody since then.