John Pastor-Mendoza, 43, received a sentence of 290 years to life for his predatory acts against women using ride-hailing services. Convicted of kidnapping 12 women and sexually assaulting two, he targeted intoxicated women outside downtown Denver establishments between 2018 and 2022. Despite DNA evidence confirming his involvement in some cases, he asserted his innocence during sentencing. Denver District Attorney John Walsh emphasized the significance of the victims' courage and the need to protect the community from further harm by Pastor-Mendoza's actions.
"Pastor-Mendoza victimized 12 women in a calculated, cruel and contemptible series of crimes over four years," Walsh said, describing the judge's "severe sentence" as "entirely appropriate."
Several women did not recall getting into a car and only realized that they had been sexually assaulted when they woke up in a stranger's bed with no underwear or phone.
We should all be grateful for the courage of Pastor-Mendoza's victims, who came forward and testified at trial to ensure that Pastor-Mendoza will no longer have the opportunity to harm our community.
Despite DNA evidence implicating him as the perpetrator in at least three of the cases, Pastor-Mendoza maintained his innocence at his sentencing on Friday.
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