MoVal Attempted Rapist Sentenced To State Prison: Court

MORENO VALLEY, CA —A convicted felon who tried to sexually assault a 35- year-old Moreno Valley woman at knifepoint before she fought him off and escaped was bound for state prison Thursday to serve a four-year term.

Marque DeShone Rogers, 41, of Moreno Valley pleaded guilty earlier this month to assault with intent to commit rape, assault resulting in great bodily injury and a sentence-enhancing allegation of using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony.

Rogers made his plea directly to Riverside County Superior Court Judge Thomas Kelly, without input from the District Attorney's Office. During a hearing Wednesday afternoon at the Riverside Hall of Justice, Kelly imposed the sentence that he had previously stipulated.

According to a bail-setting affidavit filed by sheriff's Deputy Christina Banuelos last July, Rogers met the victim at a liquor store in the predawn hours of July 2 and arranged for a sexual tryst with her in exchange for a $250 payment.

The woman, identified in court documents only as "A.B.," agreed to go with the defendant in his car to a shopping center parking lot in the area of Alessandro and Perris boulevards, according to court papers.

As the two were talking in the vehicle, Rogers "reached into the driver's side door panel," Banuelos wrote.

"The victim believed Rogers was reaching for her payment, but he returned with a knife," the deputy said. "Rogers held the knife to her neck and demanded she perform oral sex."

The woman fought back and jumped out of the car, suffering only a bruise to her face during the scuffle, according to court documents.

Sheriff's officials said the victim ran to a business and called 911.

Deputies took a report and over the ensuing 24 hours, they gathered sufficient evidence to obtain an arrest warrant, which was served on the defendant at his Perris Boulevard residence on the afternoon of July 3. He was taken into custody without incident.

Court records show Rogers has prior convictions for firearm assault and receiving stolen property.