PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release |
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Date: 11/27/2017 |
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Re: Gabriel Deherrera Sentenced to More than 23 Years In Prison |
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Sonora, California – Tuolumne County District Attorney Laura Krieg announced today that Tuolumne County resident Gabriel Deherrera was sentenced to 23 years and 8 months in State Prison on Monday, November 27, 2017 by the Honorable Judge Donald Segerstrom. Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Novelli prosecuted the case for the People.
Mr. Deherrera pleaded guilty to a multitude of offenses on June 19, 2017, including assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, false imprisonment by violence and corporal injury to a person with whom the defendant had a dating relationship. The charges arose out of an incident that occurred on October 3, 2015. The victim was the defendant’s girlfriend at the time. He became enraged when she took an energy drink he believed was his and began chasing her. The victim ran out of the house and hid in some nearby bushes. The defendant then slashed her tires. After some time had passed, and the victim was unable to secure a ride away from the residence, she returned. While the victim was seated on the bed, the defendant took off his belt and told the victim, “this is it.” The defendant placed the belt near the victim’s throat and stated “I’m going to kill you. I’m going to kill you now…” Part of the incident was recorded on a cell phone and the victim can be heard gasping for breath and pleading for her life. The defendant continued, “I’m going to kill you and you’re never going to f-ing breath again.” The victim was luckily able to coax the defendant off her and end the assault. The defendant then threatened her if she told anyone what happened. There had been at least one previous instance where the defendant had gotten physically violent against the victim.
Justice was finally served for the victim, but also prior girlfriends whom Mr. Deherrera had terrorized in the past, several of which had displayed remarkable strength and agreed to testify against the defendant if the case had gone to trial. The defendant has two prior convictions, one in 2006 and another in 2014, for assault with a deadly weapon, one with scissors and another with a knife against two other victims with whom he had been dating at the time. The bravery of all of the victims ultimately led to the defendant accepting the plea agreement for a deserved substantial time in state prison, which because of the defendant’s prior record, he will serve at 85%.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Novelli – Phone: (209) 588-5450
