Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 03/27/2009

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Terry Menshek - (707) 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Chief Deputy District Attorney Spencer Brady

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

JURY FINDS DEFENDANT GUILTY OF ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO COMMIT SEX OFFENSE IN COTATI HOME

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced that on March 27, 2009, Jaime Hernandez-Gonzalez was found guilty of Assault with intent to commit a sex offense during the commission of a burglary in the first degree.  The jury also found the defendant guilty of resisting a peace officer.

On December 22, 2007, Jane Doe and her friend returned to the house in Cotati around 1 a.m.  The women noticed a vehicle traveling behind them and became concerned as the street dead-ends after their house and there is virtually no traffic in this area.  The women parked their vehicle in the driveway and the other vehicle continued driving.  After a few minutes passed and the vehicle never returned, they went inside the residence, locking the door behind them.

Approximately 45 minutes later the women went upstairs to bed.  Jane Doe, who slept on the bed was awakened around 3:20 a.m. to the sight of the defendant, naked in her bedroom.  She screamed and stood up on the bed.  The friend, who was sleeping on the floor, awoke and ran to the phone to call 911.  The defendant came towards Jane Doe who began to kick the defendant, and he grabbed and pulled off her pants and underwear.  Jane Doe ran down the stairs and out of the house.  The defendant chased after her.  The friend was still on the phone with 911, followed the defendant down the stairs and locked the door behind him.  Jane Doe fell while trying to run from the defendant and suffered a fractured finger.  She was able to return to the house, and both women armed themselves with knifes and locked themselves in the bathroom until the Sheriff's Department arrived.

As a Sheriff's patrol vehicle drove towards the house, a Cotati Officer saw the defendant coming from the direction of the house.  The defendant's vehicle almost collided with the Cotati officer.  The defendant then ran two red lights.  The Officer initiated a traffic stop.  The defendant did not immediately yield but eventually came to a stop and exited the vehicle.  The defendant was not wearing a shirt, his pants were unzipped, his belt was unfastened and he appeared to not be wearing underwear.

The defendant was interviewed.  He admitted being in the house and removing his clothing.  He acknowledged seeing the women in their Intimate clothing and becoming attracted to them.  He also admitted that after he left the house he was not able to fully dress himself and lost his underwear.

The jury deliberated for more than a day before returning the guilty verdicts.  An alternate juror was seated on Thursday as one juror had seen an article regarding the case and indicated he could no longer be fair.  The jury was instructed to disregard any previous deliberations and start anew with the newly seated juror.

The defendant faces a sentence of life with the possibility of parole.  He becomes eligible for parole after seven years.  A sentencing date has not been set as the defense is requesting the Judge to consider granting a motion to set aside the jury verdict.  The motion is set to be heard on April 14, 2009.

Deputy District Attorney Tashawn Sanders prosecuted this case before the Honorable Gary Medvigy.  She was assisted by District Attorney Investigator Lisa Chapman.  Sonoma County Sheriff's Department Detective Eddie Engram was the lead detective assigned to the case.