[CA] GUILTY: Ex-Sheriff's Sgt. Rodriguez facing 60 years to life

Ex-San Benito County Sheriff's Office Deputy "Mike" Rodrigues faced trial for domestic violence, the rape of four women, and suspicion of unlawful sexual penetration.

RODRIGUES FOUND GUILTY
Hollister Free Lance
By Colin Mcconville And Kollin Kosmicki
Sep 25, 2009
A jury this afternoon found former sheriff's Sgt. Michael Rodrigues guilty of raping three women.
Jurors convicted Rodrigues, 48, on four counts of rape, while they came down with not guilty verdicts on four charges related to one of the accuser's allegations. The jury convicted Rodrigues for raping the three women... Overall, there were four guilty verdicts and four not guilty verdicts. The not guilty verdicts were related to a rape allegation and other accusations from a woman who contended he assaulted her several times in 2007. With the four rape convictions, Rodrigues faces a possible sentence of 60 years to life in prison, while jurors also came down with guilty verdicts on three special allegations that could enhance the penalty... "We're satisfied that the jury came back with what they thought were the right verdicts," said [Deputy District Attorney Patrick] Palacios, the prosecutor. "We hope that this helps the victims move on with what they've been dealing with over these last years." Rodrigues' defense attorney, however, vowed that the convictions do not end the matter and he reiterated outside the courthouse he would pursue an appeal in the case... [Full article here]

Previous Entries:

• [CA] TIMEBOMB Rodrigues dv, rape, and intimidation charges - Tick. Tick. Tick- ...These women are destined to live in fear for as long as this deputy - or ex-deputy lives. That's the whole of it... (226 comments)
• [CA] The BOLO, Surrender, & Immediate Release of Michael Rodrigues- ...His surrender at the county jail came more than 48 hours after a grand jury indicted the 25-year department veteran on charges that include: three counts of forcible rape, two counts of unlawful sexual penetration and one count each of attempted rape, domestic violence and spousal rape...
• [CA] Hard for Sgt. Rodrigues to get a fair trial (with so many victims) - ...Rodrigues' attorney, Christopher R. Miller, filed a request this week that San Benito County Superior Court Judge Steven R. Sanders recuse himself from the case...
• [CA] Transcript on 8 felony counts against Rodrigues still sealed - ...Felony charges against Rodrigues include three counts of forcible rape, two counts of unlawful sexual penetration and one count each of spousal rape, attempted rape and domestic violence...
• [CA] Transcript details domestic violence, rapes attributed to Sgt. Rodrigues - ...The transcript of testimony was released Wednesday of three suspected victims and four other witnesses in front of the grand jury...
• [CA] To charge or not charge Ex-Sgt. Rodrigues who defiantly kept his guns? - ...A restraining order, filed by Rodrigues' estranged wife and signed by a San Benito County judge, prohibits Rodrigues from possessing any firearms or ammunition. No arrests were made, but state authorities forwarded the search results to the San Benito County District Attorney's Office to determine if Rodrigues will face charges...
• [CA] Sgt Rodrigues 4th rape arrest - & yes, release - Rodrigues faces four counts of forcible rape, two counts of unlawful sexual penetration, two felony counts of possession of firearms and ammunition while under a restraining order, and one count each of spousal rape, domestic violence and attempted rape.
• [CA] Prosecutor tells jury that San Benito County Sheriff's Sgt. Mike Rodrigues picked his victims, preying on the most vulnerable. - ...Prosecuting attorney Patrick Palacios says Rodrigues is a man who preys on the weak...
  

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