A Ventura County man faces conviction for the rape and sexual assault of five women he encountered via dating apps and social media platforms.
Dustin Ronald Alba, 30, from Oxnard, has been found guilty of the charges by a jury on June 9, as reported by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
Between 2012 and 2020, a series of crimes unfolded across various locations, including Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, and Los Angeles.
Numerous individuals targeted by Alba connected with him via dating applications or social media platforms. Prosecutors revealed that the individuals would usually gather in person before being coerced into sexual acts by Alba.
“Despite repeated pleas for him to stop, he would use his body weight to pin down the victims and ignore their objections,” court documents said.
In a notable event from August 2020, Alba encountered a woman he had linked up with through a dating application. The woman informed him prior to their meeting that she was not interested in a casual encounter.
The day unfolded with their time together, culminating in a visit to his residence. According to court documents, it was reported that Alba forcibly tore her clothing, dragged her onto the bed, and then proceeded to assault her digitally, all against her will.
Driven by fear, the woman complied. She promptly informed the authorities about the assault as soon as she departed from his residence.
During the investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, detectives examined Alba’s cell phone and uncovered text messages revealing that he had victimized, sexually assaulted, and raped other women.
Four more victims were subsequently discovered. Authorities reported that one of the victims was a minor at the time of the incident.
On June 9, Alba faced a conviction on nine serious felony charges related to forcible sexual acts, encompassing rape, sodomy, and attempted forcible rape, involving five distinct victims.
Significant findings revealed that there were several victims involved, highlighting the exploitation of a position of trust, the vulnerability of the victims, and the perpetrator’s involvement in violent behavior.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to the jury for their diligent and thoughtful examination of all the evidence,” said Rosa Romero, a Ventura County District Attorney who prosecuted the case. “While justice for these victims was delayed, their verdict means that it was not denied. I sincerely hope that this decision offers the victims a sense of closure as they move forward in their healing process.”
A sentencing hearing is set to take place on July 9 at the Ventura County Superior Court. Alba could be sentenced to a staggering 111 years to life behind bars. He is currently held in custody with no option for bail.
