Monterey County man convicted of raping family member and another minor
- A 37-year-old man from Monterey County, Manuel Vasquez, was convicted of eight felony counts involving the rape and molestation of minors.
- The abuse included forcible rape and lewd acts against children under the age of 14, affecting at least one family member.
- Both victims delayed reporting their abuse due to fears of disbelief, which is a common concern in such sensitive cases.
A Monterey County man was found guilty of multiple felony counts involving the rape and molestation of two young girls. Manuel Vasquez, aged 37, was convicted of two counts of forcible rape and six counts of lewd acts against children under the age of 14. The abuse began while the victims were still minors, and at least one of the victims was a family member who bravely reported the incidents to law enforcement. She shared that during her assault, she was bound and gagged to prevent her from screaming. Following her report, another victim also came forward, revealing similar acts of molestation. The delay in reporting by both victims highlights the fear many have in such situations regarding disbelief and stigma. Vasquez is set to return to court on December 8 to arrange for sentencing.