Judge confirms verdict in BottleRock sexual assault case

A Napa County judge on Thursday denied a Richmond man's request for a new sentencing in the sexual assault case of attendees at the BottleRock Napa Valley and Spring Festival in Alameda County.

Judge Scott Young announced his ruling during a hearing in the case of Peterson William Fontes, 47, who was found guilty in December 2019 of two counts of sexual penetration by force, fear or threat, as well as burglary and vandalism.

At the hearing on Thursday, one of the victims also gave evidence.

“The survivors’ courage and bravery in facing their abuser a second time was extraordinary,” Napa County Assistant District Attorney Kristen Orlando said in a statement.

Fontes was sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison, but requested a resentencing under Senate Bill 567, according to the Napa County District Attorney's Office.

It came into force in January 2022 and allows judges to impose a longer prison sentence only if special aggravating circumstances are proven beyond a reasonable doubt or admitted by a defendant.

Otherwise, a judge could only sentence a defendant to a medium term prison sentence, i.e. six years in prison for sexual assault. The higher term is eight years.

According to prosecutors, SB 567 resulted in convicted felons who had been sentenced to a longer prison term before 2022 demanding a review of their cases for possible sentence reductions.

Orlando said: “The court's ruling (on Thursday) sends a clear message that we will not tolerate such behavior in our community and will neither excuse nor downplay the serious harm Mr. Fontes caused by his predatory actions.”

The attack on BottleRock occurred on May 25, 2019.

Fontes cut holes in several portable toilets and sexually abused a visitor inside.

Napa police arrested Fontes and their investigation revealed that he had committed similar acts during the Spring Festival that same year.

The Napa County District Attorney's Office assumed jurisdiction of the Alameda County case and filed charges against Fontes.

Orlando argued that the victims were particularly vulnerable and that Fontes' actions were planned and required “sophistication and professionalism”.

Reach staff writer Colin Atagi at [email protected]. Follow on Twitter @colin_atagi