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Former Mexican cop gets 72 years for sexual assault

"He held a knife to my throat and forced himself on me," said one woman.
Credit: FILE PHOTO
27-year-old Ricardo Corral-Venegas

A former Mexican police officer was sentenced to 72 years to life in prison for sexual assault, kidnapping, burglary and attempted sexual assault of two women in Arapahoe County District Court on Wednesday.

Both women testified before the court during the sentencing hearing, pleading with the judge to incarcerate the defendant, 27-year-old Ricardo Corral-Venegas, for the rest of his life.

“He held a knife to my throat and forced himself on me,” said one woman, who asked only to be identified by her first name, Katelyn. “He put my child’s life in danger – for that, I hope he rots.”

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Katelyn was attacked by Corral-Venegas on Oct. 4, 2016 in her home in Aurora, according to court records and testimony. According to documents, Corral-Venegas knocked on the door when she was home alone with her 15-month-old son. He threatened her with a knife and threatened to tie her up with zip ties before sexually assaulting her. He threatened to kill her or her child if she called the police or screamed.

“I remembered his face, what he was wearing, his sunglasses, his broken English,” Katelyn said in court. “He told me not to go to the police, and for a moment, I complied. But I knew this was not his first time.”

Her call started the investigation that ultimately led to the arrest of Corral-Venegas after a second woman living in an adjacent building of the same condominium complex contacted police nine days later, stating that a man attempted to force his way into her apartment after knocking on the door and asking for water.

Corral-Venegas fled after she screamed and neighbors attempted to look for him. He was found in a nearby Buffalo Wild Wings a short while later, according to court documents, and had in his possession a bag filled with zip ties.

A Mexican Consular ID card said that he too lived in the same condo complex. Later police found a hat, sunglasses and a large kitchen knife, according to court records.

“When I was a young girl, my mom taught me that if you don’t know who is at the door, don’t answer,” the second woman said in court, and asked that her name not be publicized. “If I wouldn’t have answered the door, my life would have been different – but he would still be out there.”

Both women talked about the information they had learned that Corral-Venegas, a former police officer in Mexico, was wanted for additional allegations of sexual assault in Mexico. The defense attorney reminded the court that these were only allegations and he had not been convicted of other charges.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has confirmed that Corral-Venegas had been deported in 2016 and, upon his arrest in October 2016, ICE sent notification to the Arapahoe County jail that he was wanted for deportation again.

After hearing from the victims and family members in court on Tuesday, Judge Jeffrey Holmes praised the courage and brave actions of the women for coming forward.

“I hope that you can have lives that are somewhat alleviated from suffering,” the judge said to the victims.

Corral-Venegas declined to speak before the court His defense attorney indicated they would appeal.

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