Bakersfield Police Arrest Suspect on Sexual Assault/Torture Charges

Bakersfield Police Arrest Suspect on Sexual Assault/Torture Charges

Jan 3, 2023

The Bakersfield, California, Police Department arrested a 36-year-old man last week in connection with a sexual assault and torture case. Police indicated that the alleged sexual assault occurred January 25 in Bakersfield.

Jason Aaron Rodriguez, 36, of Bakersfield, was reportedly an early release non-violent offender under California’s AB 109 law. Rodriguez’s prior convictions included resisting an officer with violence, being a member of a gang, and felony possession of a firearm, according to a report from local ABC 23 Bakersfield.

ABC 23 confirmed that Rodriguez was arrested last Wednesday at 6:49 p.m. in the 3300 block of California Avenue in Bakersfield.

Assembly Bill 109 (AB 109) was passed by California voters in 2011 as the Public Safety Realignment Act. The legislation allows defendants convicted of “less serious” felonies to be diverted to local county jails to serve time (as opposed to state prison detention centers). AB 109 allowed Rodriguez to be released under the non-violent offender classification.

According to a Los Angeles County Department of Probation government website, AB 109 effectively shifts “responsibility for certain populations of offenders from the state to the counties.”

In addition to several outstanding felony arrest warrants from previous offenses, Rodriguez was reportedly arrested on suspicion of:

• Rape
• Torture
• Mayhem
• Felon in possession of a firearm
• Possession of a controlled substance while armed
• Kidnapping with intent to commit rape
• Assault with a deadly weapon
• Possession of methamphetamine
• Possession of heroin

Local KGET NBC Bakersfield reported that Rodriguez pleaded not guilty Friday to the charges of rape, torture, and aggravated mayhem in connection with the previously mentioned sexual assault incident.

Rodriguez is reportedly being held on $1.1 million bail. His next hearing is scheduled for February 9.

Anyone with information regarding Rodriguez’s case is encouraged to contact the Bakersfield Police Department at 661-327-7111.

Los Angeles Sexual Assault Offender’s Sentence Spurs Controversy

Another sexual assault arrest that made news this past week involved Hannah Tubbs, a transgender female convicted of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl in a Palmdale restaurant bathroom in 2014.

As local ABC 7 reported, the violent crime occurred just prior to Tubbs turning 18. She had remained free of charges for several years until a recent DNA match led to her arrest.

Tubbs, now 26, admitted to the 2014 sexual assault, but was sentenced to only two years in a juvenile facility due to Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon’s policy mandating that juveniles are not prosecuted as adults.

As the crime committed by Tubbs occurred when she was a minor, Judge Barrera was required to apply the juvenile sentence despite the objection of prosecutors.

“In crystal clear terminology provides this court with the authority to order a transfer of an individual to sheriff’s custody, or to a county jail facility, after that individual has turned 19 years of age,” a prosecutor stated during court proceedings, according to ABC 7.

But the judge indicated that, even if a perpetrator is apprehended after turning 19, it is the date on which the crime occurred that ultimately determines whether or not the court has the authority to confine the individual to an adult facility.

“This court will not disregard what the legislature has put onto it as a limitation,” Judge Barrera said at the time of sentencing.

Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Shea Sanna, however, expressed frustration at the limitations which impacted the court.

“[She’s]every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Deputy District Attorney Sanna. “If your kid goes to the bathroom, then you shouldn’t have to worry about them being attacked.”

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued the following statement regarding Thursday’s hearing:

“The outcome of the Tubbs case is unsatisfactory. Judge Barrera’s hands were tied today – due to the fact that the DA’s office failed to file a motion to transfer Tubbs to adult criminal court, which is where she rightly belongs. Instead, we’re left with a 26 year-old individual sentenced to two years in a juvenile facility in isolation, separated by sight and sound from the other juveniles.”

“To carry out justice, all of the oars in the criminal justice system must be rowing in the same direction. Today, that simply didn’t happen,” Barger added.

ABC 7 posted excerpts of a letter written by the sexual assault survivor who had been victimized by Tubbs in 2014. The survivor, who chose to not appear at the hearing, wrote:

“I live in fear most of the time. And although it’s something that I tried to tell myself isn’t my fault, I could never truly believe it. I feel that I’m to blame somehow, when I know deep down that isn’t the case. I hope, after all this comes to an end, my attacker gets the punishment (they) deserve for attacking a child with no problem and I can finally get on with my life.“

Our Sexual Assault Justice Experts are here to help survivors secure justice. Contact our top-rated attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.

Filing a Civil Lawsuit After a Sexual Assault Incident

Survivors of sexual assault may wish to pursue civil claims against a perpetrator – whether an individual or institution. Sexual assault civil lawsuits may be filed separately from any criminal charges brought against a sex offender. Moreover, the outcome of a criminal proceeding does not affect whether or not a survivor’s civil claim is successful.

Sexual assault civil claims are typically brought in an effort to recover financial damages relative to various types of losses sustained as a result of sexual violence. Some examples of damages that may be obtained in a sexual assault civil claim include:

• Emotional trauma
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Diminished quality of life
• Counseling or therapy costs
• Medical care costs

In many sexual assault civil lawsuits, financial settlements may be secured without having to proceed with courtroom litigation. At Dordulian Law Group (DLG), we’ve helped countless sexual assault survivors obtain the justice they deserve following sex crimes. From a multi-million dollar settlement with a rideshare rape survivor to a confidential multi-million dollar settlement for a rape survivor harmed by a man she had met on a ‘Sugar Daddy’ dating website, DLG’s sexual assault lawyers have the winning experience to give you peace of mind when filing your claim.

To speak with a member of our unique and top-rated SAJE Team of sexual assault professionals, contact DLG today at 818-322-4056. Led by Sam Dordulian, a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County, DLG has helped injured victims like you recover more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts with a 98% success record.

When you’re ready to take the first step towards obtaining justice against your sexual perpetrator, DLG is here as your dedicated legal advocate. We’ll fight aggressively to ensure you obtain the justice you deserve through a maximum financial damages award.

Contact a dedicated member of our team today for a free, confidential, and no obligation consultation.