Isla Vista Sex Offender Sentenced to Life in Prison

Source: Santa Barbara County District Attorney

Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley announced [Wednesday] that Zachary Barker Coughlin was sentenced to the maximum of 20 years, to be followed by 125 years to life in state prison.

After a yearlong investigation, followed by a six-week trial, courageously led by Deputy District Attorneys Megan Chanda and Michelle Mossembekker, a jury unanimously found Coughlin guilty of all fourteen counts on July 22, 2021. The charges include Penetration of an Unconscious/Intoxicated Person, Forcible Oral Copulation, Forcible Rape, Rape of an Unconscious/Intoxicated Person and Kidnap with Intent to Commit Rape. The jury also found that the defendant committed aggravated kidnap and specified sexual offenses against multiple victims.

This form of justice for the victims would not have been possible without the hard work of Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Bureau Detectives Kevin McGillivray and Anthony Kouremetis, and District Attorney Investigator Matthew Harvill.  These veteran detectives worked tirelessly to identify numerous victims. With the assistance of Supervising Victim Advocate Rita McGaw, this team was able to locate many of the defendant’s victims and, with immense compassion, provide much needed support throughout the process.

The defendant, a sexual predator, sought out the most vulnerable women and cold-heartedly exploited their vulnerabilities by brutally sexually assaulting them.

As a result of the collaborative efforts of the prosecution team and the courage of the survivors, this defendant will never be able to prey upon any woman again.

Related Articles

 May 19, 2020: Santa Barbara Man Arrested for Stalking in Isla Vista

 October 7, 2020: Isla Vista Stalking Suspect Re-Arrested for Sexual Assaults

 July 22, 2021: Isla Vista Stalker Found Guilty of Numerous Sexual Assault Crimes

 

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  1. It is their job, but they face a lot of criticism and obstruction, IMO much of it from men who think, “Holy cow, that could be me!” because they have assaulted females at one time or another or still are. This sicko has a longer known history than most and waits until they are incapacited but the acts are still the same: Not consentual. Coerced sex is essentially the same if the woman is in no position to resist. Maybe a job that supports her family that she can’t afford to lose or even an abusive live-in or relative. Sexual abuse is a sliding scale. This guy is not one end of it: He didn’t torture or kill them. Some men do. Most men know the difference between their fantasies and what they would really do.

  2. Nowhere in my comment are the words “a lot of”. I went to great pains to make it clear that most men don’t do such evil things. As to you, “If the shoe fits, wear it.” Otherwise, reread my comment and be comforted. Of course the majority of the male population isn’t evil. Neither are the majority of females.

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