Defendant Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting Party Guest

DATE: October 13, 2021

CASE: Dante Rivera (Case #20FE004184)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney James Wax, Adult Sexual Assault Prosecution Unit

The Honorable Sharon Lueras sentenced Dante Rivera to 6 years in state prison.  On August 25, 2021, a jury convicted Rivera of three counts of sexual assault by force or fear.

On February 15, 2018, the victim attended a get-together hosted by Rivera. She did not know Rivera prior to this night. Rivera offered to let the victim rest in his bed before she drove home because she was tired and had been drinking. The victim awoke to Rivera pulling down her pants and committing unwanted sex acts on her, including rape.  The victim told Rivera ‘no’ multiple times, but he proceeded to sexually assault her.  DNA testing by the District Attorney’s Crime Lab confirmed that Rivera’s DNA was present on swabs taken from the victim and an evidentiary exam showed the victim had been sexually assaulted.