PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Sterling Wilkins, Domestic Violence Unit
On February 22, 2024, Samuel Garcia-Gutierrez was convicted by a jury of kidnapping and carrying within the county, state or country and forcible rape.
On March 10, 2023, Samuel Garcia-Gutierrez went to the victim’s workplace and waited until she got off from work. When the victim walked to her car, Garcia-Gutierrez approached her and asked her to drive him to an auto parts store so he could buy parts to fix his car. The victim agreed, but once Garcia-Gutierrez was in her car he showed her a handgun in his bag and told her they were going die today. He then ordered the victim to drive to his apartment and the victim complied out of fear for her safety. Once inside Garcia-Gutierrez’s apartment, the victim pleaded with him to let her go but he refused. He then raped the victim as she begged him to stop. At one point, the victim was able to convince Garcia-Gutierrez to allow her to use her phone and she was able to contact a family member. The victim was rescued from where she was being held and reported the crime to law enforcement.
Garcia-Gutierrez faces a maximum sentence of 9 years and 8 months in prison. Sentencing is set for March 21, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in Department 10 before the Honorable Ernest Sawtelle.