Anthony Vasquez Sentenced for Sexual Assault in Elevator

A month after his no contest plea to rape of an unconscious person and felony sexual battery, Anthony Vasquez was sentenced Friday morning to four years and eight months in state prison. With his plea, he also admitted he violated probation and will be required to register as a sex offender.

Vasquez, 19, was arrested in late January after a city parking employee contacted authorities when he reviewed footage that showed the incident. The video showed Vasquez bringing an unconscious woman into an elevator and assaulting her for an hour before leaving. The woman then woke up three-and-a-half hours later.

Prosecutor Paula Waldman said Vasquez, who has 288 days of credit, will actually serve half-time on his sentence in state prison.

Waldman added that the victim was present in court for the sentencing, but declined to make a statement. The victim had told Waldman she wanted Vasquez to be convicted of rape, have to register as a sex offender, and serve time in state prison. With all three being achieved, Waldman said she believed the victim felt justice was served.

If the case had gone to trial, Waldman said the victim was prepared to testify.

Vasquez’s adoptive mother, Sylvia Jovanna Vasquez, maintained the opinion she expressed during her own trial for child abuse five years ago. She said that the system has continued to fail Anthony and he suffers from reactive attachment disorder. She said she has felt he was capable of violence since he was in his early teens and worried for her other children when he was under her care.

Because of the condition she believes he suffers from, Sylvia said her son needs psychiatric care and fears for potential future victims. She added that Anthony has told her he thinks he could be killed while he is incarcerated.

When asked about Sylvia’s opinion, Waldman said she can’t possibly know what psychological impact Sylvia’s treatment of Anthony had on him.

“This case was about a very limited aspect of Anthony Vasquez,” Waldman said. “It wasn’t about the things Sylvia Jovanna Vasquez is discussing. If she has these kinds of concerns, she needed to come forward with them earlier.”