Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced today:
On January 14, 2020, Peterson Fontes, aged 42, was sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in State Prison, the maximum allowable sentence under the law, by the Honorable Scott R.L. Young.
On December 10, 2019, a Napa County jury found the defendant guilty of two counts of sexual penetration by force, one count of 2nd degree burglary, and one count of vandalism. The jury also found true a special allegation that the amount of damage caused by the vandalism was over $400.
The convictions were a result of the defendant cutting holes into the back of portable toilets and digitally penetrating two women while they were using those toilets at a festival in May of 2019 in both Napa County and Alameda County. The defendant was arrested after being caught behind the portable toilets at BottleRock music festival. During the trial, both survivors testified against the defendant. The case was prosecuted by Napa County Deputy District Attorney Kristen Orlando who said:
“This defendant exhibited an extreme and reprehensible degree of criminal sophistication and planning in carrying out these sexual assaults. He meticulously placed holes in handicap porta-potties at busy events and preyed on unsuspecting women during their most private moments, when they were at their most vulnerable. The sentence this court imposed was the maximum sentence the law permits. We hope that it provides the survivors some well-deserved closure, and are grateful that it will ensure that they, and the community, are safe from this defendant for as long as possible.”
Napa Police Department Detective Brandt Keown led the investigation. Napa County District Attorney Investigators Ana Baber and Sharon Fong assisted in the prosecution. Sexual Assault Victim Services provided advocacy for the survivors.
Any questions regarding this case may be directed to Assistant District Attorney Paul Gero.