Merced County Man Convicted In Gang Rape Of Teen
LIVINGSTON (AP) -- A Livingston man faces up to nine years in prison after a Merced County jury convicted him in the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl.
The Merced Sun-Star reports 21-year-old Leobardo Mendoza was found guilty of four felony counts Wednesday. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 12.
Prosecutors say the victim and another girl were headed to a high school party in the Modesto area on Jan. 16 when Mendoza and his friends offered to drive them.
The victim testified the men instead took the girls to a different party, where she was sexually assaulted by Mendoza and four other males.
Two other suspects pleaded no contest and will spend a year in jail. A 17-year-old suspect is being tried in juvenile court.
Detectives are searching for a fifth suspect.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
