72-year-old Cambria man sentenced for sexual battery
Herbert George Connor.
–A San Luis Obispo County Judge sentenced Herbert George Connor, 72, for his convictions of felony sexual battery by restraint, misdemeanor sexual battery, and misdemeanor assault all stemming from an attack that took place on April 25, 2017 in the town of Cambria at the victim’s home. He was sentenced to one year in county jail.
He was accused of assaulting a 67-year-old Cambria woman with whom he had an on-again, off-again friendship, in April 2017, reports say. According to the woman, after helping her bring in groceries, Connor threw himself upon her and groped her, forcing her onto her bed before she somehow fell and injured her shoulder in a door jam.
District Attorney Dan Dow said, “Today’s sentencing hearing provided the first major step for the brave victim to finally begin her healing process because it allowed her to tell the Judge and our community about how the defendant’s exploitative and violent act has affected her life.”
Just prior to the pronouncing her sentence, Judge Duffy denied the defendant’s request to reduce the conviction to a misdemeanor citing the seriousness of the conduct, seriousness of the injuries, and the victim’s testimony that she said ‘no’ 30-50 times while the defendant was assaulting her.
“Sexual assault is always a serious criminal offense and yet it is often extremely difficult for victims to come forward and report their victimization,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “I want to commend the victim in this matter for her strength, courage, and resilience to see the matter through to completion even when it caused her emotional and psychological pain to do so.”
The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Dan Dow and investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorneys Bureau of Investigation.
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