Humberto Salvador, the alleged Sureño member and ringleader who orchestrated the harrowing 2008 gang rape of a lesbian woman in Richmond, California was convicted yesterday of 15 felonies related to the incident. According to police, the case brought about a sea change in the crime-ridden community of Richmond, pushing residents to stand up to violent gang members.

According to the Contra Costa Times, Salvador "did not outwardly react as he was convicted of 15 felonies that will put him in prison for life, other than to glance at his sobbing mother." The lengthy list of charges included kidnapping, carjacking, robbery, street terrorism, and gang rape for the benefit of a criminal street gang. The charges also carried hate crime enhancements as evidence clearly showed Salvador targeted the Spanish-speaking woman because she was a lesbian.

The incident occurred exactly five years ago last week on December 13, 2008 when Salvador and three associates attacked the victim after looting cars on her block. The victim's car was decorated with rainbow stickers and she was wearing a rainbow belt at the time. She was beaten, kidnapped in her own vehicle and taken to an abandoned carport where she was repeatedly assaulted by Salvador and at least two of the other suspects. The woman testified that Salvador made comments about her sexual orientation during the assault and told her, "You like men now, don't you? Tell me you like men," before leaving her naked and bleeding a couple blocks from her home.

Investigators were able to track down the four scumbags after the case made national headlines and tips came flooding in. Two of the defendants, 20-year-old Darrell Hodges and 20-year-old Robert Ortiz, were minors at the time and also forced oral copulation with the victim at Salvador's command. Hodges has already been sentenced to 24 years in prison and Ortiz is currently awaiting trial. The fourth suspect, 26-year-old Josue Gonzalez did not participate in the rape according to prosecutors, but has been convicted of carjacking and robbery charges related to the incident. Gonzale is currently awaiting sentencing and Salvador is due back in court to be sentence in February.

Jurors and local law enforcement praised the victim's bravery during her testimony in the Martinez courtroom. "I think the case really galvanized people into the idea that enough is enough," Richmond Police Chief Chris Magnus said. "It sends a message that when you commit a crime with the added motivation of hate being part of what you are doing, there will be real consequences to that," Magnus continued. "Richmond is a real diverse community, and it's important that people understand that we are not going to tolerate crimes where hate is a motivating factor, whether based on race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation."

Previously: Lesbian Brutally Gang Raped in Richmond
4 Arrests made In Richmond Lesbian Gang Rape Case
[Contra Costa Times]
[KTVU]