A Southern California man was convicted of the rape and sexual assault of a woman at a motel.
Caleb Dean DeBinion, 36, was convicted by a jury on Feb. 21, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. DeBinion is also a registered sex offender, officials said.
The crime involved a woman who was 30 years old and homeless at the time. DeBinion had encountered the victim and her mother several times before. On May 24, 2023, he offered them the use of his motel room in Thousand Oaks to shower and freshen up.
The women accepted the offer and “made it clear that they would not provide anything in return,” court documents said.
The younger woman entered the motel room first. While showering, DeBinion walked into the bathroom, stepped into the shower while completely naked and sexually assaulted her, the DA said.
Once out of the shower, DeBinion continued to assault the woman despite her telling him to stop. After the assault, he forced the victim to shower again. The woman was eventually able to escape the room and immediately contacted the authorities.
DeBinion was arrested at the scene and was later convicted by a jury of forcible rape, false imprisonment, forcible oral copulation, sexual battery, two counts of sexual penetration by force or fear, and a special allegation that the victim was vulnerable.
In 2009, DeBinion had pleaded guilty in a sex crimes case, the Ventura County Star reported. In the plea agreement, he admitted guilt to one count of sexual penetration by a foreign object, but three other felony counts, including oral copulation of a person under 16, were dismissed.
As part of that agreement, DeBinion was ordered to register as a sex offender. In 2010, he tried to appeal the registration but was unsuccessful.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to the victim for her bravery in facing her accuser in court,” said Rosa Romero, a Ventura County District Attorney who prosecuted the case. “We are grateful she was able to obtain the justice she deserves. I also want to thank the jury for their careful and thorough consideration of all the evidence.”
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 15.
