Mancia-Morales Sentenced to Life in Prison

Sentencing Mancia-Morales to life imprisonment plus 53 years, Judge Thomas Horne affirmed the jury's sentencing recommendations, telling the courtroom that he saw no compelling reason to deviate from the jury's decision.  The full sentence was broken down by offense: life in prison for the rape, 30 years for the armed burglary, 22 years for the abduction and 1 year for the assault.

In March, a trial jury listened to testimony from the victim, who detailed the attack by Mancia-Morales. Having been awakened by the sound of breaking glass, the victim discovered Mancia-Morales in her home. During the course of the incident, he demanded money, cut her arm with a paring knife, and sexually assaulted her before leaving her bound in the bathtub.

A native of Honduras and in the United States illegally, Mancia-Morales was identified using DNA evidence. Since entering the U.S., he has been convicted of statutory burglary in Clarke County, and destruction of property, assault and battery and unlawful entry in Loudoun after a 2007 incident. He was also pursued by police after an assault on a juvenile in March 2007. 

During sentencing, the victim's son testified to his mother's altered behavior since the incident, stating that she had required counseling, had troubles sleeping and still finds it difficult to leave the house.