| For Immediate Release Case # 10HF0454 November 18, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
THIRD STRIKER SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING WOMAN IN HER BEDROOM AFTER BREAKING IN THROUGH UNLOCKED BACK DOOR
SANTA ANA – A third striker was sentenced today to 25 years to life in state prison for breaking in to the Irvine home of a 24-year-old woman and sexually assaulting her in her bedroom. Victor George Gillespie, 21, Irvine, was found guilty by a jury Aug. 17, 2011, of one felony count each of sexual battery by restraint and first degree residential burglary of an inhabited dwelling, and one misdemeanor count of resisting and obstructing an officer. He has two prior strike convictions for robberies in 2007.
On the night of March 23, 2010, Gillespie broke into the Irvine home of 24-year-old Jane Doe through an unlocked sliding glass back door. The defendant and Jane Doe did not know each other. The defendant entered the victim’s bedroom, where she was lying on the bed, and climbed on top of her. He put his hands down Jane Doe’s pants and touched her vagina as she screamed and struggled to get away. Gillespie then fled the scene.
Responding Irvine Police Department officers located the defendant nearby. Gillespie ignored the officers’ instructions after they had identified themselves to him and continued to run in an effort to flee. The officers chased the defendant on foot, caught him, and arrested him.
Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker of the Sexual Assault Unit prosecuted this case.
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