Spring valley man receives 25-year sentence for multiple rape and burglary convictions
Prison fence. Grid fence with barbed wire against sunset. Barbed wire. Security measures for prisoners in prison.

Spring Valley Man Receives 25-Year Sentence for Multiple Rape and Burglary Convictions

June 5, 2024

SPRING VALLEY, NY – Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced that 26-year-old Rigoberto Lopez Castro of Spring Valley has been sentenced to 25 years in state prison following his conviction on multiple violent felonies, including two counts of first-degree rape.

In a trial presided over by Judge Kevin F. Russo in March, Lopez Castro was found guilty of two consecutive 12 ½-year terms for each count of rape, as well as a concurrent 12 ½-year term for first-degree burglary. The convictions stem from incidents that occurred on September 12 and 13, 2022, where Lopez Castro forcibly raped a woman known to him, employing physical violence during each attack.

The assaults, which took place in the victim’s home and involved severe physical abuse, left the woman with multiple bruises, significant pain, and a ligature mark on her neck. She received medical treatment at a local hospital following the attacks.

District Attorney Walsh emphasized the significance of the sentencing, stating that it reflects Rockland County’s firm stance against sexual and violent crimes. The case was thoroughly investigated by the Spring Valley Police Department, with support from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office BCI Unit and the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center, highlighting a collaborative effort in law enforcement and prosecution.

Shore News Network

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.