On Monday, Oct. 6, Dopre Charles Belcher, 32, was sentenced to six years in state prison, the maximum term, by Judge Arthur Mann, according to a report from the District Attorney's Office. On Sept. 8, Belcher pleaded no contest to one count of assault with the intent to commit rape.
Because the crime is classified as a violent felony – or a “strike” – Belcher will have to serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole, the District Attorney's Office reported.
The assault in question occurred on May 28 in Lakeport, as Lake County News reported over the summer.
The 39-year-old victim was staying the night with a friend in a home where Belcher also was present, according to the investigation.
Although the victim was acquainted with Belcher she had not had a romantic relationship with him, according to authorities. The victim was asleep in a spare bedroom when Belcher entered the room and committed the assault.
Lakeport Police told Lake County News that the report of the assault originally came in from a local doctor's office on June 3.
The case was investigated by Sgt. Kevin Odom of the Lakeport Police Department, with assistance from Det. Norm Taylor and Sgt. Jason Ferguson.
The victim received support and services from the Lake Family Resource Center and the District Attorney’s Victim Witness Program. An advocate from Lake Family Resource Center read the victim’s impact statement at the sentencing.
Deputy District Attorney Ed Borg prosecuted the case, while defense attorney Doug Rhoades represented Belcher.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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