Visalia man gets life in prison for luring disabled woman from Walmart and raping her

A Visalia man was sentenced Thursday to 54 years to life in prison for luring a disabled woman out of a Visalia Walmart and raping her behind the store, the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office said.

In July, a jury found William Bickford, 51, guilty of forcible rape, sexual penetration by force, fear or threats, kidnapping to commit rape, felony penetration of a disabled person, and related crimes.

On June 9, 2015, Bickford approached the disabled victim inside a Walmart store on South Mooney Boulevard. He convinced her to follow him outside to an area behind the store where he raped her.

This story was originally published October 27, 2016 at 5:31 PM with the headline "Visalia man gets life in prison for luring disabled woman from Walmart and raping her."