Ex-San Benito Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Rodrigues likely will not
be eligible for parole until he is 108 years old after officially
receiving his sentence today for raping three women.
Ex-San Benito Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Rodrigues likely will not be eligible for parole until he is 108 years old after officially receiving his sentence today for raping three women.
Judge Alan Hedegard administered the required sentence of 60 years to life in prison due to a provision in the law that disallows concurrent sentencing because Rodrigues, 48, was convicted on multiple offenses with special enhancements. Concurrent sentencing would allow for a penalty of 15 years to life, the sentence for each of the four rape counts.
There was just one victim who spoke during the sentence hearing and she said Rodrigues remains “in denial” about the crimes. She said he has “caused a great deal of suffering in my house.”
“You will have a lot of time to think about all the women you hurt,” said the trial witness, whom the Dispatch is not naming because she’s the victim of a sex crime.
Rodrigues stood during the hearing next to the jury box, facing the attorneys’ table where the victim sat as she spoke. Rodrigues also had the right to speak but he declined to do so.
The sentence hearing scheduled for 1:15 p.m. started about 30 minutes late after the judge had called prosecutor Patrick Palacios and defense attorney Art Cantu into his chambers.
When it began, Hedegard clarified that he interpreted the law to require the sentences to run consecutively. That ruling was the difference between a possibility of being eligible for parole in 15 years versus the administered sentence calling for a 60-year minimum.
Certain cases do allow for convicts to be eligible for parole after serving 85 percent of their minimum sentences, but Palacios said he believes it does not apply in Rodrigues’ case.
Look back for more on this story as well as video.
