(Woodland, CA) –On October 18, 2024, the Honorable Tom Dyer sentenced Omar Rodriguez, a 42-year-old resident of Woodland, to 7 years in prison. The sentence came after a jury found Mr. Rodriguez guilty of numerous domestic violence related charges including felony counts of Dissuading a Witness, Criminal Threats, Infliction of Corporal Injury, False Imprisonment with Violence, Illegal Possession of a Firearm, and Stalking in Violation of Restraining Order. Mr. Rodriguez was also convicted of nine separate misdemeanor counts of Violation of a Court Order. Supervising Deputy District Attorney Michelle Serafin prosecuted and presented the case to the jury.
The Victim and Mr. Rodriguez were in a dating relationship and had children together. On February 7, 2022, Mr. Rodriguez became upset with the Victim due to her having dinner with one of her children. Upon seeing her at home, Mr. Rodriguez punched the victim with a closed fist, pushed her to the floor, and then continued to punch and kick the Victim while she was lying on the floor. He also placed her in a choke hold and began to squeeze on her neck. Mr. Rodriguez told the Victim to be quiet, yelled at her, and stated that if law enforcement were called, he would kill the Victim and himself or he would go out with a fight with law enforcement. The Victim also reported Mr. Rodriguez had a shotgun that was left out in the living room. Possession of the shotgun was illegal as Mr. Rodriguez had a prior conviction from 2017 which prohibited possession of any firearm.
After this specific incident, the Victim obtained a restraining order and wanted no further contact with Mr. Rodriguez. Contrary to the restraining order, Mr. Rodriguez continued to send texts and emails to the Victim and was seen in the same areas as the Victim in violation of the restraining order. Even after being arrested on June 20, 2022, and posting bail, Mr. Rodriguez continued to violate the restraining order. He continued to send emails harassing the Victim and would show up in places where the Victim was located, leading the Victim to believe she was being tracked.
She searched her car and located two separate GPS devices that had been placed in her vehicle in January of 2023. Law enforcement as part of their investigation obtained search warrants that revealed both GPS devices had been purchased and activated by Mr. Rodriguez. The Victim also located three separate motion activated cameras outside her apartment. Search warrants obtained records showing at least two of these cameras had been purchased by Mr. Rodriguez.
Mr. Rodriguez had a prior misdemeanor domestic violence conviction with a separate victim.
At the sentencing, Judge Dyer heard the Victim who described her experience including the fear she experienced from several years of harassment despite the existence of criminal restraining orders. At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Dyer sentenced Mr. Rodriguez to a total of seven years in the California Department of Corrections. Judge Dyer specifically cited the public safety risk Mr. Rodriguez posed to the Victim specifically and the community at large.
Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig commented that “Mr. Rodriguez’ sentencing serves as a reminder of the continuing and ongoing crisis of domestic violence and stalking that continues to plague many victims. But for the bravery and resilience of the Victim in this case, Mr. Rodriguez, despite arrests and a restraining order, would have continued to stalk, harass and, and terrorize the Victim.” October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month; this case is a reminder of the continuing dangers posed to victims of domestic violence.
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