Woman faces justice 20 years after her brother sexually assaulted her in Southern California

In this undated photo, a guard is seen escorting a prisoner at a prison in California. (KTLA)

More than 20 years after she was repeatedly sexually abused by her brother, a Ventura County woman will receive justice, authorities announced Thursday.

Stephen Delacruz, 37, a San Diego resident, pleaded guilty to eight felonies, including three counts of forcible rape, three counts of forced oral copulation and two counts of digital penetration, and admitted the special allegation that his victim was under 18 years old was old, according to a press release from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

The violent attacks occurred in 2001 and 2002, when Delacruz was 14 and 15 years old and his sister Samantha was 8 years old.

“Delacruz isolated the victim in her Oxnard home and threatened to kill her if she ever disclosed the crimes, often displaying a knife before the sexual assaults,” prosecutors said.

In 2019, Samantha reported the rapes to authorities at the Oxnard Police Department.

Prosecutors in the district attorney’s office pushed for the case to be moved from juvenile court to adult court, arguing that the crimes “required considerable sophistication and planning and were particularly violent and serious.”

The juvenile court agreed, but in 2022 the California legislature changed the criteria for transferring juvenile cases to adult courts, adding the requirement that courts “determine by clear and convincing evidence that the minor is suitable for rehabilitation through the juvenile justice system.” is”.

The victim’s case was subsequently referred back to the juvenile justice system, resulting in Samantha having to endure the lengthy legal process again.

In 2023, a Ventura County Superior Court judge found Delacruz suitable for transfer to the adult court system, saying the “allegations are horrific.” After Delacruz appealed, causing further delay, the California Court of Appeals ordered the case transferred to adult courts in November 2023.

“Samantha was incredibly courageous, courageous and simply never gave up,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, who prosecuted the case. “Despite numerous setbacks and delays, she continued to fight for justice and for her voice to be heard in court. Because of her determination to hold her brother accountable for these egregious crimes, the legal process ultimately worked.”

In his May 14, 2024 plea agreement, Delacruz waived his right to further appeal in the case.

The 37-year-old’s sentencing is scheduled for June, with prosecutor Nazarenko reportedly asking the judge for a “30-year state prison sentence.”