SPRING VALLEY, NY – Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced that 26-year-old Rigoberto Lopez Castro of Spring Valley has been sentenced to 25 years in state prison following his conviction on multiple violent felonies, including two counts of first-degree rape.
In a trial presided over by Judge Kevin F. Russo in March, Lopez Castro was found guilty of two consecutive 12 ½-year terms for each count of rape, as well as a concurrent 12 ½-year term for first-degree burglary. The convictions stem from incidents that occurred on September 12 and 13, 2022, where Lopez Castro forcibly raped a woman known to him, employing physical violence during each attack.
The assaults, which took place in the victim’s home and involved severe physical abuse, left the woman with multiple bruises, significant pain, and a ligature mark on her neck. She received medical treatment at a local hospital following the attacks.
District Attorney Walsh emphasized the significance of the sentencing, stating that it reflects Rockland County’s firm stance against sexual and violent crimes. The case was thoroughly investigated by the Spring Valley Police Department, with support from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office BCI Unit and the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center, highlighting a collaborative effort in law enforcement and prosecution.