Valentin Vargaz Diaz found guilty of rape of an intoxicated victim and forcible sexual penetration

 

(2023 booking photo, this was before 9th Circuit ruling)

I first reported on Valentin Vargas Diaz in October 2023. That post has detailed information on his court cases and also has the HCDTF press release. Multiple warrants, multiple cases and multiple lawyers.

His current attorney is Ms. Sullivan. Previously, he dumped his Public Defender and had hired Ms. Kathleen Bryson.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/10/rape-suspect-has-3-open-cases-dumped.html?m=1

Three cases are trailing. Currently, there is a jury trial for a case that includes allegations of rape of an unconscious person and sexual penetration of a foreign object. Charges in other cases include cultivating and harvesting marijuana for sale; carrying a loaded firearm in a public place and exhibiting a firearm in a rude and annoying manner. All these are 2022 cases. Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm is the prosecutor. 

The trial in the alleged rape case started 3/10 with jury selection. VargazDiaz' attorney, Ms. Andrea Sullivan was juggling this case while waiting for a verdict in the Widmark trial with notes from the Widmark jury. The information in the alleged rape case was amended on 3/20/25. 

Another hopelessly deadlocked jury, 10-2. Mistrial declared by Judge Kaleb Cockrum as to Count 1 and 2.

The jury found VargazDiaz guilty of Count 3 and 4 and a finding of true for the special allegations for those counts. Another sexual predator off the streets thanks to Deputy DA Whitney Timm.

People will not retry on Count 1 and 2.

The same day jury started deliberations at 2:10. Two Spanish interpreters assisted in the trial. It took the jury 1 day to come back with a guilty vetdict on Count 3 and 4. VargasDiaz' custody status was changed to no bail. Sentencing is on 4/18.