Incident Took Place Over The 4th of July Weekend
HOLLISTER—the San Benito District Attorney’s Office Have formally filed rape charges against a 17-year-old juvenile from Hollister, and will charge him as an adult after an investigation from The Hollister Police Department. Donovan Mahler, 17-years-old of Hollister, stood in court on Thursday, July 16, as the charges against him were read. They were one count each of: pc 261(a)(1) – rape on a subject incapable of consent, 261(a)(2) – rape by force, 261(a)(3) – rape of a person prevented from resistance due to intoxication or from any controlled substance.
On July 9th, Hollister Police went to the home of the juvenile after she disclosed that she was the victim of a sexual assault that occurred at a party over the 4th of July holiday weekend. She told investigators that she recalled getting violently sick after being given a drink at the party that she attended with some of her friends.
She also recalled being taken to another area on the property away from the party. She told investigators that she later woke up while being sexually assaulted by Mahler. Hollister Police Investigators collected evidence that corroborated the victim’s story during their investigation.
On July 9, police, along with probation officers from San Benito County, served a search warrant at Mahler’s home on Main Alley. Authorities were able to gather further evidence to support the victim’s claim of rape.
Mahler was contacted by police at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of rape.
