Jury Finds Santa Barbara Man Guilty of Rape

A Santa Barbara jury found Higinio Gonzalez Machorro guilty of rape of an intoxicated person on Friday.

Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch stated Machorro raped Jane Doe while she was intoxicated during a party in Isla Vista on July 4, 2017.

Savrnoch stated the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, Victim Advocates, and Senior Deputy District Attorney Megan Chanda worked tirelessly to seek justice in this case.

“However, this justice would never have been possible without the determination and bravery of Jane Doe. The District Attorney’s Office extends the utmost gratitude to Jane Doe for her perseverance and courage,” said District Attorney Savrnoch.

Machorro remains in custody and faces a maximum sentence of six years. He will also be required to register as a sex offender, pursuant to Penal Code section 290.

Machorro will be sentenced on January 19, 2024 in Department 11 of the Santa Barbara Superior Court before Honorable Von Deroian.