North Texas Man Sentenced To 60 Years For Sex Assaults
FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — A North Texas man described by authorities as a serial rapist has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for attacking six women over a two-year period.
A Tarrant County jury sentenced 22-year-old Armando Ernest Vera on Thursday, two days after he pleaded guilty to six counts of aggravated sexual assault.
Prosecutors say the assaults occurred in the Fort Worth area from June 2011 to May 2013. All of the women, some of whom were prostitutes, reported being taken to an isolated location and being forcibly raped after accepting a ride from a suspect matching the same description.
When it came to prosecuting the crimes Prosecutor Sheila Wynn said the backgrounds of the victims had absolutely no bearing. "Rape is rape no matter who you are or what your past is, and every victim deserves to be treated with respect and dignity."
The individual attacks may have been harder to link together and solve since authorities believe Vera used different vehicles in an effort to avoid detection.
Prosecutors say Vera was linked to the rapes either by DNA or by the victims identifying him from a lineup.
He must serve at least 30 years in prison before he's eligible for parole.
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