A jury convicted Ricardo Villegas Molina in May of first-degree rape, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, two counts of second-degree rape and second-degree assault for attacks on two women in October 2022.
During his sentencing hearing before Superior Court Judge Edmund Murphy, deputy prosecuting attorney Lindsay Chenelia said Molina targeted sex workers in Tacoma, women who she said are less likely to report to law enforcement and less likely to be believed by police, prosecutors and jurors.
The attorney described for the court the attack that a 50-year-old woman endured after Molina picked her up near Pacific Avenue and 84th Street.
According to court records, Molina drove her to an isolated field in the Waller area of Pierce County the night of Oct. 7, 2022 and parked behind a pile of debris so no one could see them.
Chenelia said Molina pulled an 18-inch knife, and the woman ran from the car. Molina chased after her and pushed her to the ground, where he sexually assaulted her.
Chenelia said Molina kicked the woman and shoved rocks and dirt into her body.
“Somehow she managed to fight for her life and get away,” Chenelia said.
