Ex-student faces life in prison for ‘prank’ sex attack on teacher
A former high school student from Redwood City who claimed the attempted rape and kidnapping of a teacher was actually a senior prank faces life in prison after being convicted of the charges earlier this week.
David Velasquez, 21, was found guilty Wednesday of several charges, including kidnapping with the intent to commit rape, San Mateo County Dist. Atty. Steve Wagstaffe told the San Jose Mercury News.
During court testimony, Velasquez described how in January 2012 he hid among garbage cans in the school parking garage before emerging behind the teacher.
He grabbed her and pointed a knife at her side and ordered her to a car parked a short distance away. The attack was disrupted when another teacher came upon the crime and screamed.
“This is what they call a senior prank,” Velasquez said under questioning, according to the Mercury News. “I decided to do one.”
But prosecutors alleged that Velasquez had developed a sexual interest in the teacher and police said they found a photo on his computer of the teacher and a sex act drawn on her face. Velasquez also had pictures of the teacher on his cellphone.
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