On May 10, 2018 a 21-year-old man, Thomas Lee McElroy, pleaded guilty to five felony counts of rape and one felony count of forcible oral copulation with a 17-year-old female victim, according to a report by the Orange County Register.

According to the report, McElroy was able to send threatening text messages to the victim stating that if she did not have sex with him, she and her family would be hurt. He sent threatening text messages to himself to make it seem as if he was also being extorted. The report stated, “McElroy raped the teen five times… over a two-month period in the spring of last year… and also extorted money from the girl and had her perform sex acts that he videotaped.”

Facing a rape charge is a serious matter, and even an accusation can have a negative impact on your life. California Penal Code 261 states that rape is “an act of sexual intercourse” that is committed against the other person without his or her consent. Rape may be accomplished “against a person's will by force, violence, duress, menace, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the person or another.” Rape is a very serious crime under California law and a conviction can be life changing—a rape conviction can result in a long prison sentence, thousands of dollars in fines, and mandatory registration as a violent sex offender. Penalties are more severe when the victim is a minor.

A conviction can have extensive consequences for your future employment, relationships, and general well-being. It is highly recommended that you get in touch with the experienced southern California sex crime defense attorneys here at The Kann California Defense Group if you are facing this serious charge. We will work to protect your rights, give you a fighting chance in court, and use our skills and knowledge to protect your future. To learn more about your legal rights and options and to discuss the details of your case with an attorney call us today at (888) 744-7730.