Justice was served in California when a judge sentenced a Sacramento cop to life in prison after he was found guilty of breaking and entering into an elderly, disabled woman’s home before brutally raping her on multiple occasions, according to The Sacramento Bee.^[1]

Gary Dale Baker, 52, worked as an officer with the Sacramento Police Department for more than 20 years before allegations of sexual assault were raised against him in 2012 after he was caught on camera breaking into the woman’s senior living complex in South Sacramento. The victim, whose identity was protected during the trial, was 75 at the time of the first attack.

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Ernest Sawtelle called Baker’s crimes “unspeakable” before sentencing the former police officer to 62 years to life in prison.

Veteran police officer snuck into elderly woman’s home multiple times, raping her

“It is impossible for anybody involved in this case to imagine the depravity in one’s heart. It is difficult to imagine a more vulnerable victim,” the judge said to Baker during his sentencing. “You tarnished the badge for police officers everywhere. For your crimes, you will be sentenced to life in prison.”

Credit: Randall Benton – Sac Bee – Gary Baker stands with his lawyer Linda Parisi during his arraignment in 2012

The elderly woman was recovering from a stroke and unable to speak at the time of the assault, making it difficult for her to report the abuse to her family. She was eventually able to tell family members about the rape through written words, notes and gestures, according to reports.^[2]

Prosecutors say Baker entered the woman’s home at least three times between 2010 and 2012, raping the mute woman twice.

Despite collecting DNA evidence from the woman’s rape in 2012, police were initially unable to link it to a perpetrator. Police suggested the woman’s family install video surveillance in her home. They complied and were later able to catch Baker when he attempted to break into the home a third time in late 2012.

Upon reviewing the surveillance footage, police officers immediately recognized Baker as being one of their own. Baker, who was an active officer at the time, was immediately fired and arrested, reports the Daily Mail.^[3]

Former cop convicted of nine counts related to rape and sexual battery

Baker was convicted in July of nine charges, including rape by force, forcible oral copulation, sexual battery and burglary. The former police officer claimed in trial that the relationship with the 75-year-old woman was consensual and a casual relationship, reports The Sacramento Bee.

The woman maintained in court the sex was absolutely not consensual. Baker’s attorney say the allegations of rape were made up in 2013 after the family filed a civil lawsuit against the former cop and the City of Sacramento.

However, Sacramento County Deputy District Attorney Amy Holliday disproved that argument by highlighting the fact that Baker’s DNA evidence was found on the woman’s clothing and in her apartment. Medical reviews also found bruising and genital trauma on the victim.

“This officer of 22 years picked the perfect victim. She can’t come here and stand up for herself, she can’t communicate,” said Holliday during her closing arguments in July.

Sources:

[1] Sacbee.com

[2] Sacbee.com

[3] Dailymail.co.uk