Fresno man sentenced for 2010 kidnapping, sexual assault of 8-year-old girl
A Fresno man, who gained infamy 10 years ago when he kidnapped and sexually assaulted an 8-year-old girl, was sentenced Wednesday to 40-years-to-life in prison.
Gregorio Gonzalez, 33, sat motionless as Judge Michael Idiart handed down his sentence.
Gonzalez avoided a jury trial by pleading no contest in October to two felonies, sexual intercourse with a child 10 years of age or younger and oral copulation of child 10 years or younger.
Had he been found guilty of the six felonies and two misdemeanors he was originally charged with, he could have faced life in prison.
Judge Michael Idiart called the crime’s committed by Gonzalez as “troublesome” and “egregious.”
Idiart ruled against giving Gonzalez probation, saying he posed a “very serious danger to the community.”
Gonzalez gained national attention in Oct. 4, 2010, when he kidnapped and sexually assaulted the 8-year-old girl.
Police said the child was with her family that day, socializing with neighbors in the backyard of their central Fresno home near Olive Avenue and Fresno Street. The victim, who is now 18 years old, was playing in her front yard with a 6-year-old girl when Gonzalez approached them.
He offered them candy, toys and coloring books, before taking the older girl by force.
The 6-year-old child who was with victim, her mother, the victim’s mother and at least two neighbors were able to give police a description of the suspect and his pickup, prompting an Amber Alert.
The kidnapping shocked the community and was featured by national media outlets.
The girl was later rescued by Fresno resident Victor Perez a day later on Oct. 5, 2010. Perez saw a truck matching the police’s description of the suspects vehicle, so he quickly jumped in his own truck and tailed Gonzalez.
He then cut Gonzalez off, forcing him to stop near McKinley and Thesta avenues. Police said Gonzalez then pushed the girl out of his truck and drove away.
He was later arrested by police.
Deputy District Attorney Amy Freeman said the victim chose not to attend Gonzalez’s sentencing on Wednesday. Gonzalez was defended by Eric Castellon.
This story was originally published February 19, 2020 at 6:20 PM with the headline "Fresno man sentenced for 2010 kidnapping, sexual assault of 8-year-old girl."
