DATE: April 10, 2025

CASE: Penijamini Tuikubulau (Case #23FE004177)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Kate Martin, Adult Sexual Assault Prosecution Unit

On April 7, 2025, the Honorable Ernest Sawtelle sentenced Penijamini Tuikubulau to 27 years in state prison.  On December 12, 2024, a jury convicted Tuikubulau of two counts of oral copulation by force, one count of rape by force or fear and false imprisonment.  The jury also found true that the crime involved planning or sophistication.  The Court found allegations that Tuikubulau’s prior convictions are numerous and of increasing seriousness, he served a prior prison term, and his prior performance on post release community supervision to be true.

On March 20, 2023, Tuikubulau responded to an advertisement on an escort website and arranged for the victim to come to his house and provide sexual services for a fee.  When the victim arrived, Tuikubulau attacked her and physically assaulting her while she resisted.  Over the course of the next hour and a half, Tuikubulau raped the victim and forced her to orally copulate him twice.  Once he was done, Tuikubulau released the victim, who immediately reported the sexual assault to law enforcement.  Shortly after, Sacramento police officers responded to Tuikubulau ‘s residence and found evidence corroborating the victim’s report.