N. Phila. man gets 25 to 50 years for rape, burglary of woman, 69

Inquirer Staff writer Vernon Clark reports:

Ernesto Cruz, 36, of North Philadelphia, was sentenced this morning to 25 to 50 years in prison on charges related to the burglary and the rape of 69-year-old woman in January 2007.
Cruz pleaded guilty today to charges of rape, robbery, burglary and conspiracy. Judge Glenn Bronson gave Cruz one year credit for time served in prison. He deferred a sentence on the rape charge because of pending issues related to Megan's Law which will determine whether Cruz will be classified as a violent sex offender.
Cruz and another man kicked in the door of a home in the 3900 block of Franklin Street in North Philadelphia on Jan. 16, 2007. The men then went upstairs and threatened the female victim with a knife. Cruz tied the woman up and sexually assaulted her. The woman remained tied up for 18 hours until a visiting nurse came to check on her.
Cruz this morning was also sentenced to 25 to 50 years in a separate case in which he kidnapped and robbed a man in January 2007.
The second defendant in the rape case, Marino Spariosu, is being tried separately. Cruz has agreed to testify against him.

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