Teen Who Raped El Monte Store Clerk Gets 100 Years To Life In Prison
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A 19-year-old man was sentenced Monday to 100 years to life in state prison for repeatedly raping a clerk at an El Monte convenience store.
Joseph Leo Amaya, 19, received his sentence just a month after being found guilty of two counts of forcible rape, two counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object and one count of assault with intent to commit a felony, officials from the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office said. Jurors also found true a special allegation of aggravated kidnapping.
The crimes happened Oct. 19, 2013, as the woman was working at a mini mart. Amaya approached her and unsuccessfully tried to get her phone number, prosecutors said.
Amaya returned hours later as the woman was getting ready to close the doors. Prosecutors say when she tried to lock the doors, Amaya forced his way in.
According to prosecutors, Amaya barricaded the store entrance, dragged the woman by her hair to the back of the store and repeatedly sexually assaulted her.
Amaya was captured a week later thanks to tips from the community. Prosecutors say surveillance video and audio, along with DNA evidence, linked Amaya to the crime.