On October 9, 2009, a Tulare County jury found Defendant Cruz Acevedo, 25, of Plainview guilty of five felony charges as a result of an incident that occurred on August 20, 2007. The defendant was found guilty of sexual penetration with a foreign object, kidnap with the intent to commit sexual penetration, torture, simple kidnap and corporal injury to a former co-habitant. All counts contained special allegations, which were found true by the jury, for tying and binding, torture, use of a deadly weapon and causing great bodily injury to the victim.

On August 20, 2007 in the city of Plainview, the defendant choked the victim unconscious and dragged her into a vineyard. He continued to beat, kick, and hit her with sticks until he took her into an orchard, tied her to a tree and sexually assaulted her. The victim was beaten so badly that she required medical attention. The defendant fled after the commission of the crime.

The jury also heard about a prior victim of the defendant who was battered by him in May of 2005. Both his current victim and the prior victim are from the Porterville area. The defendant faces multiple life counts. Sentencing is set for 11/6/09.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Mikki Verissimo. The case was initially investigated by TCSO Detective Cesar Fernandez. It was further investigated by DA Investigator Joe Benavides. The Honorable Judge Patrick O’Hara presided over the case.

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