Fresno Man Convicted of Kidnapping, Rape

Today in Department 10 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Visalia Division, Judge Kathryn Montejano presiding, a jury convicted Macario Cerda, age 39, of three counts of forcible rape, one count of kidnapping to commit rape, one count of criminal threats, and seven counts of lewd act upon a child under the age of fourteen. Each count is a felony. Cerda also possesses a felony domestic violence and criminal threats conviction from 2011.

On February 26, 2013, Cerda had been in a relationship with the victim’s mother in Woodlake. Late thatnight after requesting a ride, Cerda forced the victim into a van and drove her to a remote location in the county where he forcibly raped her under threat that he would harm her and her family. During the crime, the victim’s mother called her and overheard yelling. She immediately called the police, who responded to her residence. After the rape, Cerda had the victim return the call and demanded he would not return her until the police had departed the residence. After driving around for some time, Cerda exited the van for a few moments. Seeing an opportunity to escape, the victim jumped in the driver’s seat and drove away.

The following day, deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office arrested Cerda near the Fresno / Tulare county line near Highway 99. During the subsequent investigation, the victim revealed that she had been raped as a minor by Cerda since 2010, with one such rape resulting in a pregnancy. The victim’syounger sister later revealed that she too was a victim of Cerda, who began to abuse and rape her in 2009.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 16, 2019, in Superior Court where Cerda faces 400 years-to-life in prison.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Erica Gonzalez and investigated by Det. EsmeraldaRamos of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494