Man With Prior Rape Conviction Sentenced for Forcible Rape and Sodomy of Intellectually Disabled Woman on Ranch in South Monterey County

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced On Thursday, October 22 that on Tuesday, October 20, Robert Cabral Salazar from Delhi, California was sentenced to a total term of twenty-two (22) years and eight(8) months in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for the forcible sexual assault committed on April 2, 2019 at the victim’s family ranch in southern Monterey County. On April 3, 2019, Jane Doe was overheard on the phone by her caregiver, promising the defendant that she would keep their secret. Jane Doe’s caregiver immediately called Jane Doe’s aunt, who questioned the victim about what she had said on the phone. Jane Doe wrote on a piece of paper (a common method of communication for Jane Doe) “sex” and explained that “Salazar told her that it was a good time, but Jane Doe said it wasn’t.” The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and the Monterey County Sexual Assault Response Teams were activated after being notified by the aunt of the contents of the conversation. Jane Doe was forensically interviewed at the Bates Eldridge Child Advocacy Center where she outlined hours of sexual assault by the defendant, who was a visitor to the family ranch while Jane Doe’s parents were out of town. The defendant knew Jane Doe, her entire life and was aware of her disability. Jane Doe’s pajamas, which she was wearing at the time of the assault, tested positive for the defendant’s DNA when examined by the Department of Justice Jan Bashiniski DNA Laboratory Criminalists. Jane Doe bravely testified before Judge Mark Hood at the preliminary hearing conducted on August 15, 2019. On September 15, 2020, the defendant pled to one count of forcible rape, one count of forcible sodomy, one felony count of dissuasion of a victim, and admitted to having a 1987 prior “strike” conviction from Stanislaus County for forcible rape. After much contemplation by the victim’s family, a plea agreement was reached in which Salazar, age 61, would serve twenty-two (22) years and eight(8) months in prison, register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, and have no contact with Jane Doe. During the sentencing hearing, Jane Doe’s words of pain and torment from that night were read by her aunt. The court also heard from Jane Doe’s mother in painstaking detail how the defendant’s sexual assault has affected not only Jane Doe’s emotional health and progress on her road to an independent living situation, but how it has impacted every member of their family. In rendering the twenty-two (22)-year eight (8)-month sentence, Judge Hood commended Jane Doe for her courage and tremendous efforts to hold the defendant accountable. The defendant was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and prohibited contact with Jane Doe. The case was investigated by Deputy Lanny Tipton, Detective Rosia Silva, Sergeant Bryan Hoskins, Monterey County Sexual Assault Response Team, and District Attorney Investigator Oliver Minnig. The victim and family were assisted by Alma Sanchez, Victim Assistance Program Coordinator of the District Attorney’s Office.