By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Los Banos man gets 14 years for raping men in bathroom
Placeholder Image

LOS BANOS  (AP) — A Central California man has been sentenced to 14 years and eight months in prison following his conviction on charges that he drugged and raped two men.

Prosecutors say 25-year-old Thomas Zavaleta attacked the men in separate incidents in 2012 while they were unconscious in the bathroom of his Los Banos apartment. He was accused of taking photographs of the 21-year-old victim and videotaping his attack on the second victim, a 24-year-old man.

Jurors watched the 17-minute video during the trial.

The Merced Sun-Star reports that Zavaleta said through his attorney that he was sorry before Merced County Superior Court Judge Marc Garcia sentenced him on Tuesday. The jury had convicted him of numerous felony sexual assault counts.

Zavaleta will be eligible for parole after serving about five years in prison.