22 year old Scottsdale resident Ryan Festa has turned himself in after seeing police composite sketches of himself on local news stations. The man allegedly raped two women on consecutive days last week.
According to police the first incident occurred at the Camden San Paloma apartments on 6980 E. Sahuro Dr. The women was 49 years old and lived alone. The patio door had been left unlocked through which the suspect entered naked and sexually assaulted her. The second incident allegedly occurred at Saddletree Apartments on 69th St. less than a mile away. The suspect again entered through a unlocked ground level patio door, this time wearing a colored shirt over his head and red shorts. The two incidents occurred at nearly the same time. No link was found between Festa or either of the two women. Police combed through past disturbances and reports in the area and discovered that a man fitting Festa’s description had been seen in the area before, but had not been reported to the police. No weapons were used in the attacks. If proven guilty Festa will be facing charges for two counts each of sexual assault, second-degree burglary and kidnapping.
Arizona’s criminal penalties are notoriously some of the toughest in the country. Sexual assault is a Class 2 Felony in Arizona with a jail sentence of up to 14 years in prison. Repeat offenders can serve up to 28 years in prison with no chance of parole or probation. Upon release those convicted must disclose their location in a sex offender registry. If you or a loved one are facing charges for sexual assault, contact a Arizona sex crime attorney today. These are very serious charges with long lasting consequences, but a criminal lawyer in Phoenix may be able to have the charges you are facing reduced or dismissed altogether.