Man Charged in Slaying of College Student
A Simi Valley handyman linked to a string of violent sexual assaults was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder and kidnapping in the July 5 slaying of a 20-year-old college student.
Prosecutors further allege that 30-year-old Vincent Henry Sanchez killed Megan Barroso during a kidnapping and a rape or attempted rape. The allegations make Sanchez eligible for the death penalty.
Sanchez, a short, dark-haired man, did not enter a plea. An arraignment was postponed until Sept. 25.
Outside the courtroom, Chief Deputy Dist. Atty. Lela Henke-Dobroth said she expects the case will be combined with a 57-count sexual assault complaint filed against Sanchez earlier this month.
Sanchez has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of rape, kidnapping and burglary in at least 11 sexual assaults on Simi Valley women between September 1996 and February 2000.
Sanchez allegedly broke into the homes of several women, forcing them to perform sexual acts and raping them at knifepoint. In three instances, Sanchez allegedly kidnapped the women and took them to isolated locations to rape them.
Authorities suspect Sanchez’s violent conduct escalated to murder with the slaying of Barroso.
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