SPRING VALLEY MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN STATE PRISON FOR MULTIPLE RAPE CHARGES
Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today that Rigoberto Lopez Castro, 26, of Spring Valley, New York was sentenced to two consecutive 12 ½ - year terms in state prison for two counts of rape in the first degree (Penal Law §130.35(1)). The defendant was also sentenced to a 12 ½ - year term in state prison on one count of burglary in the first degree (Penal Law §140.30(1)), to run concurrently with his sentence on the two counts of rape. Following a two-week jury trial presided over by the Honorable Kevin F. Russo, this past March the defendant was convicted on three violent felonies stemming from criminal acts committed in the Village of Spring Valley.
On September 12, 2022, the defendant forcibly raped the victim, a female previously known to the defendant. The defendant held a belt to the victim's neck and hit her multiple times. On the following night, September 13, 2022, the defendant unlawfully broke into the victim's home and locked bedroom, and he again forcibly raped her. He put his hands around her neck and hit her repeatedly. As a result of these attacks, the victim suffered significant pain and sustained multiple bruises about her body and a ligature mark on her neck. She received treatment at a local hospital following the two incidents.
District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II said, “This prosecution sends a clear message, violence/ sexual predatory violence will not be tolerated in Rockland County. I would like to commend the investigation by our partners in law enforcement and vigorous prosecution by Assistant District Attorneys. The defendant is being held fully accountable for his actions and is facing a lengthy prison term.”
The defendant will serve a total of 25 years in state prison. The case was investigated by the Spring Valley Police Department, with assistance from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office BCI Unit, and the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center.
Senior Assistant District Attorney Emily McNiff and Executive Assistant District Attorney Tina Guccione prosecuted this case.
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