SHERIFF’S OFFICE CASE RESULTS IN SALINAS MAN BEING SENTENCED TO 238 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON
Photo: Ignacio Ramirez
Originally published as a Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post –
“In December 2018, a girl who we will refer to as “Jane Doe”, who was under 14 years old at the time, reported to her school nurse that she was worried that she was pregnant because Ignacio Ramirez, a family member she used to live with, had raped her.
Jane Doe stated that Ramirez sexually abused her over 10 times starting when she was 9 years old. She said she attempted to push Ramirez away every time but was unable to get him to stop because he was much stronger than she was. Ramirez told her not to tell anyone about the sexual assaults. Ramirez had hit Jane Doe, her sister, and her mother in the past, so Jane Doe did not tell anyone about the abuse because she feared him. (Although the sister did not allege any sexual abuse, her confidentiality is protected because she is also a minor).
Upon being contacted by Detective Silva, Jane Doe’s mother also reported she was herself a victim – that Ignacio Ramirez forcibly raped her on numerous occasions over multiple years. On one occasion, Ramirez forcibly raped her days after she had a c-section and was still in pain and bleeding from the surgery. Jane Doe’s mother also stated that Ramirez broke into her residence several times to forcibly rape her.
During Detective Silva’s investigation, she also discovered that Ramirez might have sexually abused a third victim. Detective Silva contacted Victim #3, another family member of Ramirez’s, who is now an adult. Victim #3 disclosed that Ramirez sexually assaulted her one time when she was around 10 years old.
On June 23rd, 2021 a jury found Ignacio Ramirez guilty of 20 felony counts including having sexual intercourse with a minor 10 years of age or younger (Jane Doe), forcible rape of a minor under 14 years of age (Jane Doe), forcible lewd acts upon a minor under 14 years of age (Jane Doe), forcible rape of Jane Doe’s mother, first degree burglary of the mother’s residence, sexual battery by restraint upon Jane Doe’s mother, and lewd acts upon a minor under 14 years of age (Victim #3). 19 counts are violent felonies and are considered “strikes” under California’s Three Strikes law.
Today Ramirez was sentenced by Judge Rafael Vazquez to 238 years to life in state prison for the crimes he committed. During sentencing Jane Doe’s mother and Victim #3, courageously addressed Ramirez and told him how his actions have affected them. Jane Doe’s mother also addressed Ramirez on behalf of her daughter.
Deputy District Lana Nassoura was responsible for prosecuting this case and did an excellent job of presenting the case to the jurors. At the conclusion of the case jurors were left with no choice but to find Ramirez guilty and deliver justice for the victims of Ramirez. Our community is a safer place with this verdict and sentencing of Ramirez.”
