On September 14, 2009, Judge Kathyrn Montejano sentenced Timothy Lee Smith of Visalia to eight years in state prison. On August 13, 2009, 32-year-old Smith, of Visalia, was convicted of four felony counts of sexual assault. The jury found him guilty of two counts of assault with intent to commit a sex offense and two counts of attempted rape of an unconscious woman. During the trial, the jury heard from both victims, one who was sexually assaulted in 2007 and one who was assaulted in 2000. These victims did not know each other. The jury also heard evidence of a sexual assault the defendant committed against another woman in 2003.

The defendant was convicted of four “strike” offenses, and if he commits a new felony in the future, he could be subject to the “Three Strikes” law. In addition to serving time in prison, Smith was ordered to pay fines, and will have to register as a sex offender for life.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Mikki Verissimo. It was investigated by Detective Bill Diltz of the Visalia Police Department and Investigator Barry Silva of the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigations.

Contact Person: Shani Jenkins, Assistant District Attorney (559) 733-6411.