Man Accused of Raping Woman in Elevator Pleads No Contest

A man accused of raping an unconscious woman in a city parking lot elevator pleaded no contest to the crimes Friday, and will receive nearly five years in state prison when he is sentenced next month.

Anthony Vasquez, 19, will also have to register as a sex offender. He pleaded no contest to the rape of an unconscious person, as well as felony sexual battery by restraint. He also admitted he violated probation.

According to prosecutor Paula Waldman, the victim stressed it was important to her that Vasquez receive prison time and have to register as a sex offender, both of which were accomplished under the deal.

Authorities said a technician with the city’s parking department was reviewing security photos from an elevator in the lot on the 900 block of Chapala Street three days after the incident — which occurred on January 17 — when he came across photos that showed the events. Police said Vasquez brought the victim into the elevator, where he assaulted her for about an hour. He left her there until she woke up three-and-a-half hours later, when she staggered away.

Detectives were able to use the photos to track down not only the suspect, but also the victim, who was unaware of the assault until she was told. “Big kudos to the city workers who took the time to review this footage,” Waldman said. “That’s the only way we know a crime happened.”