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Camarillo man sentenced to prison for rape, other charges


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A judge today sentenced a Camarillo man to six years in prison for raping an intoxicated woman.

In addition, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Alan Steele gave David Snyder, of Camarillo, two more years to serve for unrelated crimes: ID theft, drug possession and violating his probation. The 32-year-old man was on probation for car theft.

The sentences are set to run consecutively, which means he must serve one sentence before he can begin serving the other.

Steele also ordered that Snyder pay restitution and register as a sex offender along with providing a blood sample so it can be tested for the AIDS virus. Blood tests are routinely ordered by judges for sex offenders. The test results are given to victims.

A jury found Snyder guilty of the rape on April 3; Another man, Jose Vasquez, pleaded guilty in 2006.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Theresa Pollara said the victim who is in her early 20s was repeatedly raped.

"A drunken person cannot legally give consent," said Pollara, adding that people are asking for trouble when they have sex with even a slightly intoxicated person.

On Nov. 20, 2005, Pollara said the victim was lured out of her house on a pre-text by a male friend and Vasquez, of Ventura, that they were going to go to the street races in Camarillo.

Instead this male friend and Vasquez took her to Snyder's residence. There was a party being held there where marijuana was being smoked and strippers were performing, said Pollara.

The victim, of Ventura, who was heavily intoxicated wanted to go home, according to Pollara. She was driven by her male friend and Vasquez to a gasoline station in Ventura. Her male friend drove away from the gasoline station. Vasquez called Snyder who drove up in his van, Pollara said Vasquez and Synder told the victim that they would take her home. Instead, they drove her back to Snyder's house.

"They raped her all evening and into the morning," said Pollara, adding that Snyder took five or six graphic photographs of the intoxicated and naked victim with his cell phone.

The next morning, she "stumbles" into a gasoline station and called her boyfriend who called the police, said Pollara.

Snyder testified at his trial that the photographs were doctored, and he was forced by police to erase some of them.

Vasquez, 37, pleaded guilty to sexual battery and was sentenced to three years in prison.

The male friend wasn't charged, said Pollara.

Discussions

Posted by Relvd98 on July 10, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WTF? Synder will only serve 6 years and Vasquez 3? Unbelieveable.

Posted by Amazon on July 10, 2008 at 1:45 p.m.

(This thread was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by Relvd98 on July 10, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you, to whoever suggested removal of those comments posted by YaYa; and the site staff, for removing them. They were totally uncalled for.

Posted by amycastillo78 on July 10, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I find it offensive that people assume a woman cannot consent, just because she's had a few drinks. If it weren't for alcohol, I would not have had the guts to have sex with some of the men I've met. But that's a far cry from rape. And some of them turned out to be long-term boyfriends. Why is Pollara trying to scare off my prospects?

Posted by thetruthdotcom on July 10, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"A drunken person cannot legally give consent," said Pollara, adding that people are asking for trouble when they have sex with even a slightly intoxicated person.

you hear that Ventura County? you can go out and have drinks, but if it ends in intercourse be prepared to face the consequences. haha

Posted by hotwildflower on July 10, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OMG, Amy Castillo...you have got to be KIDDING!!!! If it weren't for alcohol you wouldn't have had sex with some of the men you have...that really isn't putting you in the best light! Have some self respect and try getting to know someone BEFORE sex and it might not take liquid courage!

As for this story, it sounds a bit off, but obviously we don't have all the details.

I hope this girl recovers well and is able to get past this.

Posted by Relvd98 on July 10, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

oh hotwildflower...you read my thoughts.

Posted by hotwildflower on July 10, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW, the truthdotcom, it's not about going out and having drinks and someone crying rape, it sounds to me that she asked to go home several times and was denied (false imprisonment) and then raped...slightly different.

Posted by hotwildflower on July 10, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Relvd98, thanks! I thought I had to be crazy reading that...I read it about 3x to make sure I was actually reading it correctly.

Posted by hotwildflower on July 10, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Juniormafia...I may be a prude, been with my husband since I was 17, but I am of the belief that if you are selective in who you sleep with, actually know the person then you don't run into these issues for the most part. It would help eliminate the high number of STD's and probably eliminate some number of rape claims. It's not a cure all, obviously, the only cure for that is NO SEX.

Posted by hotwildflower on July 10, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My tip for the day:

A little self respect can go a long long way! ;)

Posted by Relvd98 on July 10, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Junior, I have yet not heard of a case in which a female has raped an intoxicated male and do not doubt it has not happened somewhere on this crazy world. Those cases are very uncommon, I'd say.

Posted by Relvd98 on July 10, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ABSTINENCE!

Posted by BeaHappi on July 10, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Okay, if you have to "have the guts" to sleep with someone, maybe you shouldn't be having sex with them.

Something about that statement just seems wrong!

And how is this scaring off prospects amycastillo? So you'd only want to have sex with guys who target inebriated women?

Take hotwildflower's advice and find some self-respect.

Posted by BeaHappi on July 10, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Is it physically possible for a woman to rape an intoxicated man? Not to get too technical but is an overly-intoxicated man able to..."react"...sufficiently so that the actual act can occur?

Posted by Relvd98 on July 10, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok, I see your point Junior. But, in that case, wasn't the sex consensual or did he actually say she raped him? Please refresh my memory.

hotwildflower...hope your advice is taken by her ;)

Posted by Relvd98 on July 10, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bea...good question there lady!

Posted by Relvd98 on July 10, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh, I see. That is why I told you to please refresh my memory on that one. Then of course, it's plain wrong too!

Posted by BeaHappi on July 10, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Okay, so if it's possible for a man to react, then does that somehow imply consent?

I think that non-consensual rape and (consensual) statuatory rape are different...and perhaps treated differently because of the nature of the crime. Yes, it is wrong for an adult to have sex with a minor but the minor could have been a willing participant. Still illegal...still bad.

But in the non-consensual cases, this happened against someone's will so perhaps that is the difference in sentencing. How much violence is involved, the circumstances, etc.

Posted by BeaHappi on July 10, 2008 at 3:19 p.m.

(This thread was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by BeaHappi on July 10, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry Bruce! :~)

Posted by Relvd98 on July 10, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh oh...you guys are getting off the topic here! Just remember what happend yesterday!

Posted by thetruthdotcom on July 10, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

oh no, i wasn't referring to the story, it's terrible and hope that girl's ok. my remark was only in reference to that frivolous comment by the D.A. lol

Posted by LivinInPoorMansPV on July 10, 2008 at 3:59 p.m.

(This thread was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by imonlysayin on July 10, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LivinInPoorMansPV: Are you freakin' kiddin' me with that "She asked for it" mentality? That's like saying people dying in a plane crash asked for it because AFTER ALL - they were ON the plane right!?!?!

There's a difference between acting flirty and having sex with several guys voluntarily, because yes that happens, but when the victim starts crying no, and asking to be taken home, that's when a line has been crossed.

As cliche as it is, No means NO. She made bad choices by going with them and by drinking to the point of intoxication, but does that justify them abusing her repeatedly? No, and for you to think it does, is probably the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

Posted by mamaof2 on July 10, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

livinpoor: just because a women dresses sexy and flirts does not mean its ok for her to get raped! what is wrong with u?

maybe she did make stupid choices but it still gave those guys no right. where in the article does it say she was drinking b4 she left? i am very bothered by your comment... just hope this never happens to your daughter because you'll probably make her feel even worse by telling her shes lying and it was all her fault.

Posted by mamaof2 on July 10, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

livinpoor: your not so classy yourself

Posted by thetruthdotcom on July 10, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

livinpoorman: good point. i don't think our friend Sarah understands your point. to compare people dying on a plane by chance to an already drunken girl who was allegedly taken advantage of show's the level of intellect. Look at the facts. she has a boyfriend. another male friend picked her up. she was either a) already heavily intoxicated when picked up to go street races, or b) got heavily intoxicated while at that wild party. either case, she became that intoxicated. so the story claims "she wanted to go home" after the party. she got dropped off/picked up at the gas station. she got taken back "against her will" to snyders house where she was raped all night and in the morning. then stumbles into a gas station in the morning calls her boyfriend and gives HER SIDE of what happened the night before. while the story the STAR gives us might be 100 percent true, there's just as much of a chance that she did what she did, woke up in the morning and realized it, and came up with a story to tell her boyfriend to SAVE THE RELATIONSHIP. before anyone comments, re-read the article and stop and ask yourself: if she got picked up on the "pre-text" of going street racing and instead ended up at a party with drugs, alcohol and stripping, why didn't she call her boyfriend to pick her up? why didn't she call a friend? exactly.

Posted by slkrchck on July 10, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"I find it offensive that people assume a woman cannot consent, just because she's had a few drinks. If it weren't for alcohol, I would not have had the guts to have sex with some of the men I've met. But that's a far cry from rape. And some of them turned out to be long-term boyfriends. Why is Pollara trying to scare off my prospects?"

i don't know if it's funny or sad. i thought she was kidding. my first thought was that when i used to get drunk, i consented all the time. most of the time i was the 'perpetrator'. i didn't accept a free pass for my behavior and i have a hard time giving one now.

at 14 i snuck out of my home to go to hollywood with some guys from school. i had to sneak 'cause my mom wouldn't let me go. (go figure. i had my first beer and they were 40's. and i may or may not have been raped that night. i actually cannot remember. besides the fact that it was 27 years ago, and i was absolutely wasted. i do remember crying and telling one of the guys to let me go. i do remember walking away in the morning, humiliated. and the biggest thing i remember was the fact that it likely wouldn't have happened if i hadn't taken off with these guys. random rape is one thing, but this was totally avoidable. i don't have the luxury of crying victim.

Posted by mamaof2 on July 10, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

thetruthdotcom: if she made up this story then y did vasquez plead guilty? im sorry but if someone accused me of rapeing someone i would not plead guilty if it was all a lie.

. she probably didnt want to call her b/f because she didnt want him to know who she was with and she probably didnt think those guys were going to rape her until she realized she was stuck and couldnt get out of it. im pretty sure she thought they would eventually take her home and she would be ok. its sad to know that people can think the way u do. are u female or male just wondering??

Posted by mamaof2 on July 10, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

slkrchk: even though it was avoidable the victim is not to blame, if you did get raped that night it was not your fault and it was not this womens fault. this topic is totally bothering me on the way some people think, someone very close to me was raped while under the influence but it still doesnt make it right.

Posted by BeaHappi on July 10, 2008 at 5:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mamaof2...I totally agree with you; just because she agreed to go to with the guys and agreed to drink doesn't mean that she was okay with the sex. And this case went to a jury trial and that jury was privy to all of the information, not just what we're reading here.

No one has a right to take advantage of anyone simply because they're passed out or too drunk to protest.

Posted by sparks240 on July 10, 2008 at 6:29 p.m.

(This thread was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by slkrchck on July 10, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

not saying it was okay, just saying i had no business there and it could've been avoided.

Posted by thetruthdotcom on July 11, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"its sad to know that people can think the way u do" lol. mamaof2, is it sad to think that there might be another version of the story than what the media feeds you? it's even sadder when people like yourself believe everything you read.

i bet when you first heard about that girl claiming Kobe Bryant raped her you immediately passed judgement and thought "what a piece of sh*t!" right? and what happened later on when the results of the rape-kit lab analysis revealed like 5 or 6 different kinds of DNA in that victim?? lol. did you change your opinion of kobe then?

and you say she didn't call her BF cause maybe she didn't want him to know who she was out with?? lol. if that's true, what does that tell you about our innocent little victim? you asked why vasquez pleaded guilty, and yet you ignore asking why did cops make him delete "some" of the photographs. very convenient. it's unfortunate somebody close to you got raped, but clearly your letting your emotions control what you comment on this article. it's ok, people vent.

Posted by mamaof2 on July 11, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

thetruthdotcom: i do not believe everything i read, in this case the man pleaded guilty and was found guilty. koby never admitted to rapeing her and honestly i didnt follow on the story too much.

and so what if this girl wasnt completly inncocent with her lifestyle, its still not ok for her to get raped. are u telling me that now after they went through trial, looked at all the evidence, and charged him you still believe she is lying? i understand our court system is not always right but the guy pleaded guilty. so basically admitting he did the crime and proveing she is not lying.

im starting to think someone might of accused u of something similar and that is why you are calling her a liar. only someone with a twisted head believes it is ok to have sex with a women without her consent if she was not so innocent and sexy, flirty and drunk.

i have no idea why the cops made him delete those photos but the bottom line is he was found guilty in court and when his time comes he will be judged by God.

Posted by BabyzDaddy_01 on July 11, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I missed it...why was she out drinking at a party with a group of guys that did not include her boyfriend?

Also, how is it that she was too intoxicated to give consent but clearly remembers the events and that she asked to go home?

The guys that did it aren't heroes or anything, but it would be interesting to read the ENTIRE story before passing judgment huh?

Posted by BabyzDaddy_01 on July 11, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There was no phone service in Camarillo at that time?

That house didn't have a phone to call police from?

Why did the friend drop her off at the gas station?

If he was in on it, why was he not charged?

I imagine that each of these questions must have been answered in the trial.



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