SBCDistrictAttorney
Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch announced [Friday] that Higinio Gonzalez Machorro was sentenced to six years in state prison after having been convicted of Rape of an Intoxicated Woman, in violation of Penal Code section 261(a)(3), on December 15, 2023.
On July 4, 2017, the defendant invited Jane Doe to a party at his residence that he shared with other fraternity members in Isla Vista. The defendant and Jane Doe were friends, and Jane Doe considered the defendant someone she could trust.
Witnesses at the trial confirmed that Jane Doe was “blacked out” at the party, including a friend who was trying to escort Jane Doe and her boyfriend home. The defendant interrupted this friend’s attempt, and told this witness that he would take care of Jane Doe.
Unfortunately, the defendant did not act with care, but led Jane Doe into his apartment, violated his position of trust, and took advantage of Jane Doe’s vulnerable position.
After the defendant raped Jane Doe, he attempted to conceal his crime and continued to take advantage of Jane Doe’s lack of memory by lying and manipulating evidence to evade detection. However, DNA evidence disproved the defendant’s claims that he did not engage in sexual intercourse with Jane Doe. The defendant then relied on the false claim that the intercourse was consensual. The jurors were able to see through the false claim and found the defendant guilty.
District Attorney Savrnoch commends the team effort that resulted in the guilty verdict led by Senior Deputy District Attorney Megan Chanda.
The District Attorney stated that “This outcome would not have been possible without the courage and strength of Jane Doe who persevered through unimaginable physical, mental, and emotional trauma. It was Jane Doe’s steadfastness in her pursuit of justice that made this possible.”
The District Attorney’s Office deeply appreciates the hard work of advocates with UCSB CARES, Victim Advocate Samantha Zaragoza, and attorney Monique Fierro for being a constant source of support for Jane Doe.
