WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - July 5, 2018- District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced today that on July 2, 2018, a Yolo County jury convicted 40-year -old Sacramento man Lester Louis Jones of assault with intent to commit rape and other crimes related to an assault of a homeless woman in West Sacramento. The jury also found true allegations that he had served prior terms in state prison.

On March 24, 2018, Jones attacked a homeless woman who was sleeping under an eave at the library on Merkley Avenue at 4:40 am.  She was huddled up to protect herself from a rainy West Sacramento night.  Jones chased her into the street where he brazenly stripped her of her clothing while she was pinned on the ground.  The victim was able to call 911 and tell the police dispatcher her location during the violent attack. 

District Attorney Reisig lauded the courage of the victim who fought off her attacker alone in the street, and the immediate response and pursuit by West Sacramento police officers working the graveyard shift.  “Our homeless population is very vulnerable, and this victim had the courage to fight for herself until West Sacramento Police officers were able to pursue and apprehend this brutal attacker.” 

The Honorable Paul Richardson presided over the trial and is scheduled to sentence Jones on August 14, 2018.  Jones faces up to sixteen years in prison and will be required to register as a sexual offender.