Arthur Tiofilo Rocha sentenced to serve 50 years-to-life in prison for violent sex crimes against three San Luis Obispo women survivors
Author: District Attorney
Date: 1/19/2022 5:34 PM
District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that Arthur Tiofilo Rocha (43) was sentenced to serve 50 years-to-life in prison. The sentence is based on his August 13, 2021, conviction of four violent felony sex crimes committed against three women in San Luis Obispo in 2018.
On July 8, 2018, Arthur Tiofilo Rocha broke into a San Luis Obispo apartment in the middle of the night, put a knife to the female resident’s throat, forcibly raped and orally copulated her. Five days later, he broke into a different apartment during the night and attempted to rape two young women while brandishing a knife, but they were able to successfully fight him to stop the sexual abuse.
During the sentencing hearing, one of the victim survivors read a statement to the judge describing how the crimes have affected her.
“These young women survivors are courageous and are to be commended for their enduring strength throughout the lengthy court process,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “This strong sentence sends a clear message that sexual predators will be held accountable to the maximum extent of the law in San Luis Obispo County.”
This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Julie Antos who was previously assigned to the District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit. The case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo Police Department with the assistance of the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation.
A copy of the charging document can be found here and a copy of the defendant’s booking photo can be found here.
Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805.781.5819 with any questions.
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