Rockland Man Convicted Of Locked-Bedroom Rape, Beating: DA

SPRING VALLEY, NY — A Spring Valley man who forcibly raped a woman on two consecutive nights has been convicted on three felony counts after a 2-week jury trial, Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced Tuesday.

Rigoberto Lopez Castro, 26, violently raped a woman he previously knew on Sept. 12, 2022, holding a belt to her neck and hitting her many times. On the following night, he broke into her home and locked bedroom, hit her repeatedly, put his hands around her neck and raped her.

As a result of these attacks, the victim suffered significant pain and sustained multiple bruises about her body and a ligature mark on her neck. She received treatment at a local hospital, prosecutors said.

Lopez Castro was convicted of two counts of first degree rape and one count of first degree burglary, all felonies.

“This conviction reaffirms my commitment to holding perpetrators of sexual violence accountable for their actions," Walsh said. "I commend the investigation by our partners in law enforcement and the excellent prosecution by lead counsel Senior Assistant District Attorney McNiff and Executive Assistant District Attorney Guccione. No individual should ever be held against their will or be the victim of sexual abuse."

Lopez Castro is scheduled for sentencing on June 4. He faces up to 25 years in state prison on each count. He is currently incarcerated in the Rockland County Jail, where he has been held since his arraignment on the charges.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Emily McNiff and Executive Assistant District Attorney Tina Guccione prosecuted the case.