Gabriel Jason Cavazos, a 33-year-old Redwood City man, was found guilty on several counts of sexual assault and forcible rape in May of 2012. Cavazos allegedly committed the crimes on four young Redwood City girls, and is currently facing 11 years in prison, however he recently requested a new trial claiming that his defense attorney, Jeff Jackson, was incompetent.
Cavazos was found guilty of misdemeanor false imprisonment, felony false imprisonment, misdemeanor sexual battery, felony forcible rape, felony communication with a minor to commit a lewd act and other charges in last year’s trial. The crimes he was accused of committing allegedly took place in September of 2009, when Cavazos reportedly represented himself as a professional in the modeling industry, claiming he could help two young high school girls get modeling jobs. Cavazos met the alleged victims in Redwood City at the Metro PCS store in Sequoia Station, according to a news report at the Redwood City-Woodside Patch.
One of the girls was allegedly raped on the floor in a bathroom at a party where all of the guests had been drinking, according to the District Attorney’s Office which said that the suspect had followed her into the bathroom. Cavazos admitted to having sex with the girl that evening, saying it was consensual; the incident was not reported as a rape until three weeks later.
Another alleged victim who showed an interest in modeling texted Cavazos about pursuing the work. He then texted her back and requested that the girl send him pictures of herself naked. At one point the suspect took the victim to his home after picking her up from school, where he allegedly removed her clothes down to her underwear to take photos, again to help her obtain modeling work. Cavazos kissed the girl’s neck and back while taking picture, according to the news report.
At some point in time the girl told the District Attorney’s Office that Cavazos stroked her thighs on the drive from his home back to the school, and that he would not let her exit the vehicle unless she kissed him. She stated that she did as he requested so that she could get out of the vehicle, and that Cavazos said that when she turned 18 in December he wanted to make babies with her.
Two other minor victims who are sisters experienced an encounter with Cavazos at his home. He had met the two sisters while they walked down a Redwood City street, and asked them for contact information. He later invited the girls to “hang out” at his home, where he and the girls went into his bedroom before Cavazos asked the girls if they were going to have sex. One of the sisters left the room after becoming upset; the other hesitated before deciding that she would leave as well, however the suspect refrained her from leaving and reportedly grabbed her breasts and groped her.
Cavazos was held in custody without bail, and is now being represented by defense attorney Steven Whitworth. The hearing will continue on his request for a new trial.
Redwood City sexual offense attorneys understand that sex crimes such as rape do happen, but there are also many occasions on which innocent people are convicted of crimes they did not commit. Alleged victims often falsely accuse someone out of rage or jealousy; the area of sexual crimes is one that is very delicate, but can leave an innocent person facing a ruined reputation and loss of his or her career and freedom.
If you have been arrested for rape, child molestation, sexual assault or any serious criminal offense it is imperative that you contact a Redwood City criminal defense lawyer right away for strong and effective legal representation and guidance.
