09-05-2025
Man sentenced to 26 years for rape and child abuse in San Joaquin County
( — The San Joaquin District Attorney's Office released a statement sentencing a man to 26 years for rape and continuous sexual abuse of a child.
DA Ron Freitas announced Bertin Melo Villanueva, 34, was sentenced to 26 years in state prison in the courtroom of The Honorable Richard Guiliani, after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges.
Both offenses are strikes under the California Three Strikes Law, according to SJDA. Villanueva also admitted to personally inflicting great bodily injury on the victim and agreed to waive all custody credits set back to his arrest on April 12, 2024.
'This is the kind of predator we will never stop fighting to remove from our communities,' said District Attorney Ron Freitas. 'The brutality and trauma this child endured are unspeakable. This sentence ensures that this defendant will never have the opportunity to hurt another innocent child again.'
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According to authorities, during the sentencing, there was a statement from the victim's family that was read aloud in court calling the defendant a 'monster' and a 'coward' and expressing relief that 'he will never do this to somebody else… as justice is being served today.'
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Elaine Casillas, who is with the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, and investigated by Detective Allison Barsetti of the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office.
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