Darius Gonzales - Repeat Sex Offender - Blows his Second Chance

Gonzales asked the court for "mercy and compassion"

"I do realize that I do deserve some time in prison.
I look forward to putting this all behind me someday"

Public Defender Ruth Wheeler,
noted Gonzales stayed out of legal trouble for 10 years
before the two attacks that occurred on the same day.

An unregistered sex offender accused of raping one woman at gunpoint and attempting to kidnap another hours earlier was sentenced to serve 18 years in prison last week after pleading guilty to the crimes.

Farmington resident Darius Gonzales, 28, was given the maximum sentence by District Judge John Dean.

Gonzales pleaded guilty to second-degree kidnapping, third-degree criminal sexual penetration, third-degree assault with intent to commit a violent felony, possession of a firearm by a felon and failure to register as a sex offender.

Gonzales also admitted to prior felony convictions, including two counts of rape, aggravated burglary, residential burglary and intimidation of a witness, which all took place in 1997.

"I normally look at life from the point that people make mistakes and go on," the judge said while sentencing the man. "When you make the same mistakes twice, I think the rules change ... You get your chances and then you blow them."

According to police, Gonzales attempted to lure into his van a woman exiting the East Main Street Wal-Mart around 3:45 a.m. Oct. 24, threatening that he had a gun.

After refusing to get in the van, that victim was able to escape and report the incident to Wal-Mart security.

"He advised he knew she was scared and was going to take her in the van but did not know where he was going to take her and what he was going to do with her," arrest documents state.

Less than eight hours later, Gonzales raped a different woman in a Culpepper Lane home where he did housework.

The victim said she was lured to the house with drugs. Gonzales later pulled a handgun, duct-taped her hands, eyes and mouth, and raped her, the woman told police.

Gonzales admitted the crimes, but denied having a gun in either attack. Police found a gun in his possession when he was arrested later that day.

"We were happy with (the sentence) because he's kind of a scary guy, just based on his behavior," Deputy District Attorney Lisa Kuykendall said. The District Attorney's Office requested the maximum sentence in the case.

Gonzales asked the court for "mercy and compassion," before being sentenced.

"I do realize that I do deserve some time in prison. I look forward to putting this all behind me someday and becoming a productive member of society," Gonzales said.

Public Defender Ruth Wheeler, representing the man, noted Gonzales stayed out of legal trouble for 10 years before the two attacks that occurred on the same day. Wheeler requested the man be sentenced to nine years in prison and a closely monitored probation to determine whether he is capable of improving himself.

Wheeler did not return calls for comment.

Prior to the plea, the case was scheduled to have two separate jury trials set to begin Thursday.

"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"

.........Sarah Tofte