Ventura rapist sentenced to 60 years to life for 2013 crime

A 28-year-old Ventura man was sentenced to 60 years to life on Monday for a rape conviction with a special allegation stemming from a 2013 crime.

A jury in February had found David Romero guilty of rape, three counts of inflicting a traumatic condition on his dating partner and found true a special allegation of aggravated kidnapping, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

Murder conviction for Oxnard shooting:Man found guilty of first-degree murder in 2016 shooting death at Oxnard bus stop

The June 2013 crime occurred when Romero crawled through the bedroom window of the 20-year-old victim and dragged her from her Ventura residence, prosecutors said. He forced the victim into her car, drove to Oxnard and parked on a street where he raped her inside the vehicle, authorities said. He punched her in the face multiple times. The victim suffered injuries to her arms, face and genitals, officials said.

Romero and the victim had been dating for several months and she was pregnant with his child at the time, according to prosecutors. Romero had previously been convicted of stalking and making criminal threats against a former dating partner.

On Monday, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Anthony Sabo sentenced Romero to 60 years to life in prison.

Gretchen Wenner covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at gretchen.wenner@vcstar.com or 805-437-0270.