JUDGE

Man to Sentenced 1,503 Years in Prison for Raping Teen Relative for Years

The judge said he is a "serious danger to society"

A 41-year-old Fresno man has been sentenced to 1,503 years in prison for raping a teenage relative over a four-year period.

The Fresno Bee reports Rene Lopez was sentenced Friday to the longest-known prison sentence in Fresno Superior Court history.

A jury in September found Lopez guilty of 186 felony counts of sexual assault, including dozens of counts of rape of a minor.

Prosecutors say the victim, a relative, was first sexually abused by a family friend but that instead of protecting her, Lopez turned her into "a piece of property."

They say the victim was raped two to three times a week from May 2009 to May 2013, when the girl got the courage to leave him.

In announcing the punishment, Judge Edward Sarkisian Jr. told Lopez he is a "serious danger to society" and noted that Lopez had never shown remorse and has blamed the victim for his predicament.

[NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us