AnonymousSource: Santa Barbara County District Attorney
Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley announced today that 26 year old Fidel Lorenzana Lopez was sentenced to 16 years in custody by Judge Brian E. Hill of the Santa Barbara Superior Court.
On February 16, 2021, the defendant pled guilty to numerous felony counts including attempted murder in the second degree, assault with intent to commit rape, kidnapping, assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, felony sexual battery, robbery and dissuasion of a witness.
These crimes arose out of an incident that occurred on September 29, 2020 in Goleta. Jane Doe went to 7-Eleven and was denied service because she did not have a mask. Defendant, who had a mask, bought alcohol for Jane Doe, but would only give it to her if she agreed to go to his favorite drinking location with him. Defendant drove Jane Doe to a remote area near the Seymour Duncan parking lot that was overgrown with trees and shrubs.
After having a few drinks, Defendant asked Jane Doe to go to an even more remote area with him. She declined. Defendant took Jane Doe’s phone and dragged her to an area farther from the Seymour Duncan Parking lot where he told Jane Doe he was going to kill her. Defendant then attacked Jane Doe and attempted to rape her. Throughout the attack, Jane Doe vehemently fought the Defendant. Eventually, he gave up attempting to rape her and started to strangle her. Again, Jane Doe bravely fought and screamed.
A Good Samaritan heard Jane Doe’s screams and could see Defendant and Jane Doe in the distance grappling. This Good Samaritan yelled out and Jane Doe was able to run away from the Defendant toward Seymour Duncan where employees helped her and called the police. Defendant fled from the scene and was apprehended a few miles away.
Jane Doe exhibited her bravery once more by being present at sentencing and having Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Franco make a statement on her behalf. Jane Doe let the Defendant know that he is where he deserves to be because he destroyed her life. She noted that it will not be easy for her to forget what he did to her, and she thanks God that she is still here with her family. Jane Doe also expressed her thanks to the people who helped her that night.
