Update posted March 27, 2021
–District Attorney Dan Dow announced this week that a San Luis Obispo County jury has found Santa Maria resident Alfonso Alarcon-Nunez, 42, guilty of thirteen felony counts, including three counts of assault with the intent to commit rape during a residential burglary, four counts of burglary of an occupied residence, one count of rape by force, two counts of rape of an intoxicated individual, one count of oral copulation of an intoxicated individual, one count of assault with intent to commit rape and one count of grand theft. The conduct involved five separate victims and took place between July 2017 and January 2018.
Alarcon-Nunez perpetrated his series of sexual assaults while working as an Uber driver in the San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County areas, where he victimized individuals using the transport services upon taking them home.
“The five victims in this case were brave and courageous in providing the evidence and testimony necessary to achieve justice,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “These predatory crimes were committed against particularly vulnerable victims who placed their trust in the defendant to get them home safely when they were not in a condition to drive a vehicle. Finally, we are grateful for the jury who served and listened to the startling evidence during this time of pandemic.”
The jury reached their verdict after nearly two weeks of testimony and one-half day of deliberation. Sentencing is scheduled for April 26, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 5 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, the Honorable Craig van Rooyen presiding. Mr. Alarcon-Nunez faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison for his convictions.
The investigation was conducted by the San Luis Obispo City Police Department in collaboration with various law enforcement partners including, the Santa Barbara City Police Department, Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, Pismo Beach Police Department and the San Luis Obispo County District Attorneys Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Melissa Chabra.
Update posted Jan. 24, 2018
Uber driver charged with counts of rape pleads not guilty
–Defendant Alfonso Alarcon-Nunez appeared for his arraignment, entering not-guilty pleas for all charges. He waived time served and remains in custody at San Luis Obispo County Jail with bail set at $1,470,000.
District Attorney Dan Dow held a press conference with law enforcement partner agencies, highlighting the development of the case, information on the defendant, as well as the charges filed. District Attorney Dow was also seeking the public’s help in finding additional witnesses and possible victims. The complete press conference can be watched here.
Editor’s note: Alfonso Alarcon-Nunez is an undocumented resident of the United States. He was properly registered with Uber as a driver.
Original story posted Jan. 22
Undocumented Uber driver charged with multiple counts of rape
–Undocumented Uber driver Alfonso Alarconnunez of Santa Maria is accused of raping multiple intoxicated women after giving them rides home in San Luis Obispo, according to reports.
Reports say Alarconnunez targeted intoxicated women, gave them rides home and escorted them inside, where he then sexually assaulted them. Alarconnunez also stole property from the victims, including jewelry, cellphones and computers, reports say.
The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow is seeking the public’s help in finding additional witnesses and possible victims. No further details are available at this time.