Georgia Man Sentenced to 60 Years After Found Guilty of Kidnap and Rape

Gabriel Rendon-Villasana was found guilty of pretending to be an Uber driver at least twice, convincing two women to get into his car and then raping them inside his vehicle. He was sentenced to 60 years in prison today. 

Georgia Law

As an Atlanta Criminal Attorney, I will outline the offenses that Rendon-Villasana was convicted of according the Fulton County District Attorney's Office.

First, Rendon-Villasana was convicted of multiple counts of rape in Georgia. Rape is defined in statute O.C.G.A. §16-6-1 as: 

A person commits rape when he has carnal knowledge of a female forcibly against her will or a female less than 10 years of age.

Rape is classified as a felony offense in Georgia. The penalty if convicted can include either a statutory minimum of 25 years in prison followed by probation for life, a life sentence without parole, or even the death penalty. Anyone convicted of rape over the age of 21 years old must register as a sex offender.

Second, Rendon-Villasana was convicted of multiple counts of aggravated assault in Georgia. Aggravated assault is defined in statute O.C.G.A. §16-5-21 as:

…When a person assaults with intent to murder, to rape, or to rob; with a deadly weapon or with any object, device, or instrument which, when used offensively against a person, is likely to or actually does result in serious bodily injury; with any object, device, or instrument which, when used offensively against a person, is likely to or actually does result in strangulation; or without legal justification by discharging a firearm from within a motor vehicle toward a person or persons.

Aggravated assault is classified as a felony offense in Georgia. The penalty if convicted of aggravated assault in Georgia is a prison sentence between one or twenty years.

Finally, Rendon-Villasana was convicted of multiple counts of kidnapping in Georgia. Kidnapping is defined in statute O.C.G.A. §16-5-40 as:

When a person abducts or steals away another person without lawful authority or warrant and holds such other person against his or her will.

Kidnapping is classified as a felony offense in Georgia. The consequences for kidnapping a victim who is 14 years or older include a prison term between ten and twenty years. However, if the victim is under 14 years old, then the penalty is elevated to either a life sentence or a prison term between twenty years but less than life with probation for life after getting out of prison. A suspect will receive life in prison or the death penalty if the kidnapping was for ransom or if the victim received bodily injury.

Practice Note

In total, Rendon-Villasana was convicted of ten charges. According to reports, he also had an immigration hold placed on him as well. He was found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by a jury of his peers. 

However, an accusation alone does not make someone guilty. This is the foundation of our criminal justice system. If you or a loved one has been arrested, don't fall victim to the belief that your case is hopeless. Contact an Atlanta Criminal Lawyer today. Your defense starts here.