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'Rittenhouse rapist' gets up to 44 years in jail

A judge on Monday sentenced Milton Mateo Garcia to 22 to 44 years in state prison for the rape of a young woman in Center City in 2014.

Milton Mateo-Garcia
Milton Mateo-GarciaRead more

A judge on Monday sentenced Milton Mateo Garcia to 22 to 44 years in state prison for the rape of a young woman in Center City in 2014.

Garcia, 28, pleaded guilty last year to charges including rape, kidnapping, and burglary in what became known as the "Rittenhouse rapist" case.

"Milton Garcia does not belong on Philadelphia's streets and, as a result of today's sentencing, he won't be anymore," Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams said in a statement.

The 26-year-old woman was walking back to her apartment on the 1900 block of Spruce Street around 1 a.m. on June 21, 2014, when Garcia grabbed her from behind.

Garcia was a restaurant kitchen worker from Honduras who was living here illegally and had already been deported at least once, according to federal officials.

When the woman tried to escape Garcia's grasp, he grabbed her by the back of her neck, pushed her into her apartment and sexually assaulted her.

He left, then returned to the victim's apartment a second time. She pleaded with him to take her personal belongings and leave, but he sexually assaulted her again. He then stole her apartment keys and cell phone.

The victim was able to activate an old cell phone to call 911. Garcia rode away on his bicycle.

The next day, detectives tracked the victim's cell phone signal to Garcia's residence on the 1800 block of South 8th Street.

Officers recovered the phone and DNA evidence linking Garcia to the crime, according to prosecutors.

Assistant District Attorney Kelly Harrell said the woman "showed great courage in confronting her assailant in court."

earvedlund@phillynews.com

215-854-2808 @erinarvedlund