Office of the District Attorney - Stacey Eads, District Attorney
News Release
April 21st, 2025
Today, the Honorable Judge Kaleb V. Cockrum sentenced 45-year-old Valentin VargasDiaz, to serve 6 years in prison, the maximum under the law, for his March 2021 rape of a 29-year-old woman. The sentence follows his conviction by a Humboldt County jury earlier this month for two crimes: Rape of an Intoxicated Person, in violation of Penal Code section 261(a)(3), and Sexual Penetration by Foreign Object of an Intoxicated Person, in violation of Penal Code section 289(d).
On March 24, 2021, 29-year-old Jane Doe consumed alcoholic beverages while at the Myers Flat Saloon, an establishment which VargasDiaz regularly patronized. The next morning, Doe, who was unable to remember events from the remainder of the night, awoke unclothed in VargasDiaz’s bed, causing her distress and confusion.
Shortly after leaving VargasDiaz’s residence, Doe sought help by going to the hospital. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Hannah Wright conducted a forensic examination of Doe. Despite some apprehension, Doe reported to Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputy Colton Ross what she knew about the events of March 24.
During his investigation, Deputy Ross spoke with VargasDiaz, who claimed Doe was extremely intoxicated the night of March 24, so he gave her a ride to her home and assisted her through her gate before he left. VargasDiaz denied sexual intercourse occurred. However, DNA evidence recovered during the sexual assault forensic exam by Nurse Wright revealed otherwise. Additionally, toxicology results further confirmed Doe was highly intoxicated when VargasDiaz sexually assaulted her.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm prosecuted the case with assistance from DA Investigator Tim Marsolan and DA Victim Witness Advocate Caitlyn LaHaie.
District Attorney Stacey Eads stated: “I commend Doe for her bravery and perseverance in holding her offender accountable for his crimes. We at the District Attorney’s Office are committed to seeking justice for survivors of sexual assault.”