Utah County Jury Convicts Man of Rape

On June 27, 2024, a jury convicted Jonathan Castro of rape, a first-degree felony. On April 15, 2021, an 18-year-old female reported to police that a male, later identified as 24-year-old Jonathan Castro, had sexual intercourse with her after she repeatedly told him to stop. After reporting the sexual assault, police contacted Castro who denied knowing the 18-year-old female and that he never had sexual intercourse with her. Castro later admitted to police that he did have sexual intercourse with the female but claims that it was consensual. Police were able to collect DNA evidence from the female’s vehicle and the DNA returned to Castro. During the trial, both the 18-year-old female and Castro testified. After two days of listening to evidence, the jury deliberated and returned a guilty verdict. Castro was taken into custody after the verdict and he will be sentenced on August 12, 2024. Castro faces a possible sentence of 5 years to life in the Utah State Prison.