Man sentenced to more than 40 years in sexual assault case

link Staff photo: Aubry Buzek

Richard Sena was sentenced to more than 40 years in prison for the 2012 robbery and sexual assault of a 71-year-old Clovis woman.

Editor’s note: The Clovis News Journal does not routinely identify victims of sexual assault.

In November 2012, a 71-year-old Clovis woman woke up to find a stranger pressing his hand against her mouth, holding a knife and threatening to kill her while he sexually assaulted and robbed her, according to District Attorney Andrea Reeb.

Reeb said footprints led officers to Richard Sena, who was hiding behind a house. The victim’s DNA was found on the defendant’s finger, and the stolen items were located in the defendant’s vehicle.

A jury found Sena, 35, guilty in May, and Monday he was sentenced to more than 40 years in prison for the crimes.

“I hope he will be given the full measure of justice as the law allows,” the victim said over the phone at the hearing.

Judge Stephen Quinn imposed a 40.5-year sentence to Sena for criminal sexual penetration, kidnapping, criminal sexual contact, armed robbery, aggravated battery and possession of a firearm by a felon.

“The crime committed against me of breaking into my home, robbing and raping me at knifepoint by Richard Sena, a perfect stranger to me, has had an impact on my life,” the victim said.

“I went from being independent, living alone and gainfully employed to being afraid of being alone and being afraid to be in my home and hometown, and moved 1,200 miles away to live with my daughter and her family,” she said.

“I still have, and probably always will, numerous flashbacks, nightmares and trouble concentrating.”

Reeb said if any case deserves the maximum sentence allowed by law, “this is that case.”

“This was a 71-year-old woman … feeling safe in her home, when this individual took advantage of it … the defendant crawled through a window and took advantage of an elderly woman and raped her,” Reeb said.

Defense Attorney Kevin Hanratty of Roswell spoke for Sena.

“He is very sorry and apologizes to (the victim) for all of the anguish she’s been through because of the property crimes, which were aggravated by him having a knife,” Hanratty said. “He stands the way he did in the trial, and denies the sex crimes.”

Judge Quinn said he factored in Sena’s history and “his apparent danger to society as he continues to disobey the law” in his sentence.

Sena faces consecutive sentences of 19 years for criminal sexual penetration, 19 years for kidnapping and 2.5 years for criminal sexual contact. His charges of 10 years for armed robbery, 10 years for aggravated battery and 1.5 years for possession of a firearm by a felon will run concurrent to the first three counts. Sena will also have to register as a lifetime sex offender when he is released from prison.

“No one should have to undergo what Mr. Sena put her through,” Quinn said. “I’m thankful that she is still alive and was not harmed more than she was.”