Former HCOE teacher who worked with youth charged with sexual assault, false imprisonment, corporal injury on spouse/cohabitant and rape; his attorney's behavior makes victim feel like a "second rape"

Ronald Young was held to answer on all charges in a preliminary hearing that is scheduled for jury trial on July 13. He is charged with four felonies and a misdemeanor.

Count 1 is Penal Code 220 (a) 1 Rape, Count 2 is Penal Code 243.4 (a) Sexual battery, Count 3 is Penal Code 236 False imprisonment, Count 4 is 273.5 (a) Inflict Corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant and Count 5 is 591.5 Damage/destroy Wireless Communication

220.  (a) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (b), any person who
assaults another with intent to commit mayhem, rape, sodomy, oral
copulation, or any violation of Section 264.1, 288, or 289 shall be
punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, four, or six
years.

Penal Code 243.4 PC, California's sexual battery law alternatively referred to as California's sexual assault law...prohibits touching the intimate part of another person for purposes of sexual gratification, arousal or abuse

591.5.  A person who unlawfully and maliciously removes, injures,

destroys, damages, or obstructs the use of any wireless communication
device with the intent to prevent the use of the device to summon
assistance or notify law enforcement or any public safety agency of a
crime is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Two months ago, the victim in this case who reads my blog on a regular basis contacted me. I did not tell her story then and for two months held off even though I was following this case in court. After this afternoon's court hearing, I spoke with her and decided to share part of her story with her permission.

The victim shared that Young was her significant other at the time of the alleged incident. She has since gone back to using her maiden name.  

Young is being represented by private attorney Mr. Neal Sanders. Part of the reason I held off the story was because of what the victim shared with me via email and she has agonized with going public, out of fear of further retaliation.

"I am extremely conflicted, reluctant about typing this. I have three grown children, with loving partners, and a grandson in this community. I have been a professional here for 25 years. I am approaching a 2 year anniversary mark of surviving a very violent crime." 

Why she finally decided to share her story:

"I wanted it quiet for my kids... but there is something so wrong, about him getting to "waltz" around town, as if nothing happened.  He and his atty Neal Sanders , have gone after my med records ,psych records, the "jackets" of the officers who saved me, the DOJ blood evidence on my shirt.. ( I fought hard) He was a local teacher for HCOE at Juvenile Hall, and the Pace program.. they promptly fired him after he had been in jail with a half million dollar bail for sex crimes over his head."

The alleged incident took place on April 2013. The victim shared this with me.

"I was attacked for a total of 45 minutes, and escaped. The defendant confessed to the crimes after being Mirandized by law enforcement. There is a 911 tape, approximately 12 minutes long, which I have not heard, and dont care to, that records my time held by  Mr. Young after the sexual assault/ attempted rape. There are defensive wounds on his body, and other physical evidence. His initial bail was 500,000.00, eventually set at 250,000.00. 

For two years, my three adult children, their partners, my parents, my extended family, and my friends, have been by my side. I have had the darkest of days, and alternately I have been blessed with the knowing how lucky I was to escape further violence.

However, this violence,  has left its mark on my life, and the lives of my children. I am currently on disability, unable to work due to anxiety, nightmares,

This case, has been handled by D.A. Curtis, D.A.Neel, and now my understanding is D.A. Eads. I have been interviewed by Detectives, I have been interviewed recently by Ms. Soderberg, and I have been in contact with Marybeth Bian, throughout the entire traumatic journey. All of these people have been amazing, supportive, and kind. 

For two years, the defense has made this case about me. I now understand what is meant by "the second rape". It began as far back as December 2013, asking for my psychological and physical records, motion after motion, 

This afternoon for the second time, a hearing regarding subpoenaed records was continued to Wednesday, July 8 and the victim has to appear in court.

"We have a trial date set for July 15. I cant even recount how many trial dates we have "had".. too many. And? At the 11th hour? Last week the defense petitioned the court, for my work records with Humboldt County, (1996 to 2002!) and my one year at Changing Tides Family Services. I was hired in March of 2013, attacked in April 2013, and was put on disability in June 2014. How on earth the defense can draw relevance from the date I was attacked to my employment 13 years ago."

DDA Stacey Eads subbed today on the case for DDA Kelly Neel. Today's trial readiness and ruling on subpoenaed records were continued after Ms. Eads told Judge Timothy Cissna that the victim is opposed to release of her records.

Mr. Sanders who has previously said that he was trying to work on a resolution, told Judge Cissna today that "there was no resolution" the last time he spoke with DDA Kelly Neel.

Judge Cissna asked if the victim had been notified to be in court this afternoon. The last hearing was continued due to improper notice. DA Chief Investigator Wayne Cox had been communicating with the victim. It was unclear from the communication in file if the victim knew to come to court before the trial assignment date of July 10. Investigator Cox confirmed that to the Judge. 

Out of concern that the victim has not been notified, Judge Cissna continued today's hearing. He said if the victim has known of the date and to be in court, he would have released the records. He told Investigator Cox to make sure the victim knew she had to be in court July 8 and July 10.

DDA Eads expressed concern that "the victim is requested to make two separate appearances for records she was not properly notified for. It is burdensome. She was a victim of a serious, violent crime."