A man who broke into an apartment in Lakewood and sexually assaulted a college student has been sentenced to 30-years-to-life in prison.
The judge said Efrain Gonzales, 19, would be deported if he were ever released.
Gonzales broke into the 18-year-old victim's apartment in December 2014.
She awoke with him on top of her, his hands over her mouth and nose trying to suffocate her, police said. He tied her hands, put a pillowcase over her head, and sexually assaulted her several times.
Gonzales left his Mexican passport, cell phone, debit card, and a folding knife in the apartment. Investigators also found his footprint on the door where he had tried to kick the door open - after he realized that he’d left the items and tried to get back inside.
Gonzales lived in the same apartment complex as the young victim but they had never met. He and his girlfriend had moved in just weeks before. Gonzales told police he had been in and out of the young woman’s apartment several times that night before he attacked her.
On April 2, Gonzales pled guilty to sexual assault - with a deadly weapon and burglary.
“This is a just sentence for someone who suffocates a young woman into submission, then sexually assaults her,” said District Attorney Pete Weir, “Gonzales deserves every minute of his sentence.”
