MARTINEZ, Calif. — A California man who was convicted of orchestrating the 2008 gang rape of a woman who was targeted in part because she is lesbian has been sentenced to more than 400 years in prison.
Humberto Salvador, 36, of Richmond, Cailf., was found guilty in December on 14 felony counts ranging from carjacking, kidnapping, rape and a wide range of other sexual assaults.
The jury’s verdicts included hate crime enhancements because of the role the victim’s sexual orientation played in the attack, which occurred on a Richmond street just 12 days prior to Christmas in 2008.
Salvador was one of four gang members looting cars in Richmond when the happened upon their victim, who was arriving home from work, reported the Contra Costa Times. One of the men hit the woman in the head with a flashlight, prosecutors said, then the sexual assault began on the sidewalk.
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
Eventually, the men put the woman in her car and drove her to a dead end near railroad tracks where the attacks continued.
Prosecutors said Salvador made derogatory remarks about the victim’s sexual orientation during the assault. When it was over, she was left naked and dazed.
On May 16, Judge Susanne Fenstermacher sentenced Salvador to 411 years to life. The victim wasn’t in court, but prosecutor Melissa Smith read a statement provided by her partner.
Article continues below
“Although she is alive, they killed her inside,” the statement read.
Defense attorney Linda Fullerton called the sentence extreme.
Two other gang members, Robert Ortiz and Darrell Hodges, who are both 20, previously pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Ortiz received a 31-year sentence and Hodges received a 24-year sentence. A fourth defendant, Josue Gonzalez, who testified against Salvador, pleaded guilty to carjacking and robbery was sentenced to 13 years.
