Oakland Man Gets 36 Years To Life For Kidnapping, Sexually Assaulting Women
OAKLAND (CBS SF) – A 22-year-old man was sentenced Friday to 36 years to life in state prison for kidnapping, robbing and sexually assaulting several women in three separate incidents in Oakland two years ago.
Christopher Moss, who was also found guilty of robbing a man, was convicted in June of 12 felony counts for the incidents on Aug. 31, 2013, and Sept. 2, 2013.
Prosecutors said in the first incident, Moss, along with an accomplice, robbed two women at gunpoint as they entered the gates surrounding the West Oakland home of one of the women.
Moss sexually assaulted both women while demanding entrance to the home but eventually a neighbor's call to police prompted him to flee, according to prosecutors.
Two days later, prosecutors said, Moss and his accomplice committed an armed robbery and attempted robbery in East Oakland by victimizing a couple as they prepared to drive to work.
Moss brandished a firearm and repeatedly punched the man in the head with the intent of stealing his belongings, prosecutors said.
A few hours later, Moss and his accomplice kidnapped another woman in West Oakland as she took out her trash by forcing her into her home and trying to subdue her with physical force, prosecutors said.
The woman broke free and ran to the sidewalk but Moss and the other man intercepted her and dragged her toward their nearby car, according to prosecutors.
However, neighbors intervened and Moss fled in the getaway car and was arrested by Oakland police a few hours later, prosecutors said.
Moss's accomplice is in custody for another crime but hasn't been charged in the case, according to prosecutors said.
One of the women who was robbed and assaulted in the first incident in West Oakland on Aug. 31, 2013, said in a letter read aloud in court by prosecutor Gemma Daggs that she feels "glad to be alive" after Moss put his gun to her head.
The woman told Moss that after he sexually assaulted her, "I knew you were truly a monster" and she's thankful that neighbors finally heard her screams and called police.
The woman said she was so distraught after the incident that she had to break her lease and move out of her home and drop out of college and was left "financially ruined."
The woman said she is doing better now and is back in college but "the emotional and financial impact will be felt for years to come."
The woman told Moss, "You are a danger to women and society and should be punished to the full extent of the law."
Before Moss was sentenced, Daggs said, "I'm concerned that Mr. Moss doesn't appear to be remorseful for what happened and take responsibility for the egregiousness of his crimes and the number of victims."
But Moss's mother, Rachelle Carey, said she doesn't think Moss committed the crimes for which he was convicted, saying, "I've never witnessed a vicious bone in his body."
Carey told Moss, "You are my son, you are my life, and I will fight for you until I get you home."
Carey said outside court after the hearing that Moss is physically incapable of committing the crimes for which he was convicted because his left arm, which is his dominant arm, is disabled. She said he will appeal his convictions.
In sentencing Moss, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Horner said he imposed a long state prison term because the crimes involved "a high degree of cruelty, viciousness and callousness," Moss was armed and the victims were "particularly vulnerable."
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