Sentencing delayed in Half Moon Bay rape case

HALF MOON BAY (Map, News) - The sentencing of four South Bay men convicted of gang raping a 21-year-old Fremont woman at a beach in Half Moon Bay in 2005 was delayed this morning after a San Mateo County Superior Court judge said defense attorneys filed their sentencing briefs too late.

A jury in June found Edgar Cardelas, 20, Anastasio Flores, 20, Celestino Guillermo, 23, and Gerardo Resendiz, 19, guilty of multiple counts of gang rape for an attack on the woman in the early morning hours of May 29, 2005, at a beach at Miramontes Point in Half Moon Bay.

According to prosecutors, the four defendants offered the woman a ride home and instead drove her to Half Moon Bay, where she was repeatedly raped and beaten so badly she suffered a facial fracture.

All except Guillermo were also found guilty of assault likely to cause great bodily injury, and Flores was found guilty of felony sexual battery.

Resendiz, who was 16 at the time of the attack, was tried as an adult in the case.

According to Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe, though the case was decided months ago, two of the four defense attorneys submitted sentencing memoranda in the case only in the past two days.

This morning, Judge Jonathan Karesh said the sentencing hearing would have to be delayed in order for him to review the documents.

"Obviously, the stakes are high," Karesh said. "This is just something that can't be rushed." Sentencing was rescheduled for Nov. 14 at 9 a.m.

All four men face maximum possible penalties of between 35 and 40 years in prison.

— Bay City News