Crime & Safety

Cotati Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison Following Sexual Assault Conviction

Thomas Boccaleoni, 47, of Cotati, was sentenced to 14 years, six months in state prison Thursday.

Bay City News Service

A Cotati man convicted of the roadside sexual assaults of three women in Sonoma County was sentenced Thursday to 14 years and 6 months in prison.

Thomas Boccaleoni, 47, pleaded no contest in Sonoma County Superior Court to forcible anal or genital penetration on Nov. 18, 2008, attempted sexual battery on Jan. 6, 2009, and assault with intent to commit rape on April 18, 2009.

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He was charged with 10 felony counts. Seven charges, among them false imprisonment with violence, sexual battery, and assault to commit rape, were dismissed at sentencing as part of a plea agreement.

Boccaleoni faced 28 years in prison if convicted of all 10 charges.

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According to testimony at his preliminary hearing, on two occasions, Boccaleoni flashed the headlights of his vehicle and when the driver pulled over, he told her to call 911 because there was a motorcycle accident. He then sexually assaulted the women.

When the third female driver pulled over, Boccaleoni told her that her vehicle was leaking fluid and might catch fire, according to the preliminary hearing testimony.

He then wedged himself between her car door and fondled her from her thigh to her neck, according to the testimony.

Boccaleoni admitted having a prior strike for committing a residential burglary in San Francisco on Dec. 15, 2005.

The availability of DNA evidence against Boccaleoni was an issue throughout the lengthy legal proceedings, Boccaleoni's previous attorney Andy Martinez said.

The defense alleged some of the DNA evidence was destroyed at a Department of Justice lab in the East Bay.

Boccaleoni was most recently represented by the Sonoma County Public Defender's Office.

Boccaleoni will have to register as a sex offender. He has been in jail since his arrest on April 28, 2009, and has 1,532 days credit for time served in the Sonoma County jail.

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