Sex offender sentenced to 22 years for trying to assault woman, 82, in Riverside

RIVERSIDE — A convicted sex offender who attempted to sexually assault an 82-year-old Riverside woman was sentenced Monday to 22 years in state prison.

Angel Joseph Garcia Jr., 48, pleaded guilty in March to assault with intent to commit rape and a sentence-enhancing allegation of inflicting great bodily injury on a person over 70 years old.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge David Gunn certified the terms of the plea agreement and imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense.

According to Riverside police, the attack happened on June 15, 2017, in the Canyon Crest area, on the south side of the city.

The victim, whose identity was not released, was familiar with the defendant, a transient, and had spoken with him in the past.

Officer Ryan Railsback said Garcia showed up at the woman’s door about 9 p.m., asking her to assist him with an unspecified problem.

“Once inside, he committed the assault against the elderly victim,” Railsback said. “She was able to fight off the suspect and call police after he fled. She sustained visible injuries to various parts of her body and face.”

The woman was treated at Riverside Community Hospital and released.

After confirming the perpetrator’s identity, detectives developed leads on where he might be and located him four days later, walking along Sycamore Canyon Boulevard — within a couple of miles of where the assault happened.

According to court records, Garcia, also known as Angel Joseph Clown, has a prior conviction for forcible rape.

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