GERALD VIDAL: Magazine Salesman Convicted of San Fernando Valley Assault

Image via WikipediaVAN NUYS – A Van Nuys jury deliberated four hours today before convicting a door-to-door magazine salesman of sexually assaulting a San Fernando Valley woman a little more than a year ago after forcing his way into her home.

Deputy District Attorney Jane Creighton said 25-year-old Gerald Vidal faces multiple life prison terms when he returns to Superior Court on March 29 for sentencing by trial Judge Barry Taylor. The defendant has been jailed on a little more than $4.5 million bail since he was arrested by Los Angeles police shortly after the assault in Winnetka on Dec. 17, 2009.

Creighton said the jury convicted the defendant of eight felony counts: one count each of first-degree burglary, attempted sodomy by use of force, assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, assault to commit a felony during the commission of a first-degree burglary and forcible oral copulation; and two counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object. The jury also found true allegations on three of the sexual assault counts that the crimes were committed during the burglary.

Vidal was working with an out-of-state group of door-to-door magazine salespeople who were staying at a motel in Woodland Hills.

Authorities said the defendant knocked at the door of the victim’s home on Dec. 17, 2009. The victim said she would buy a magazine subscription, but had to go to the bank to get money.

She closed the door and a few minutes later, Vidal returned, forced
his way inside, sexually assaulted the victim and ransacked the
house, authorities said. He was tracked to the motel by police and arrested there.