A La Plata County man who dragged a women by the hair and sexually assaulted her was sentenced Friday to two years in jail and 10 years to life on probation.Vance Valencia, 45, pleaded guilty to assault and attempted sexual assault. He was facing one to two years in jail after signing a plea agreement with the 6th Judicial District Attorneys Office.The incident occurred New Years Eve and early New Years Day this year at a house on County Road 139, in western La Plata County.Investigators said Valencia broke glass in the kitchen, slapped a woman in the head, dragged her around the house by her hair, smashed her cellphone against a wall, threw the phone into a fire and sexually assaulted her.Valencia was arrested Jan. 3 and booked into the La Plata County Jail, where he has been held without bail. He received 154 days credit for time served.Valencia apologized before the sentencing.
I wish I could take it back, he said through tears.
Deputy District Attorney Brian Imel asked that Valencia be sentenced to 18 months in jail, in accordance with a recommendation made by the probation department.
The victim also advocated for a jail sentence somewhere between one and two years, but not up to two years.Thats just too long, she said. I dont want him punished, I want him helped. I hope he looks at this as on opportunity to really look at some of his issues.But District Judge Suzanne Carlson said it was a horrible crime, and a stiff punishment was appropriate.
In addition to serving jail time, Valencia must register as a sex offender and will be on probation for 10 years to life.
shane@durangoherald.com