Man Gets 985 Years in Prison for Rapes

A former El Monte citizen of the year was sentenced in a Pomona court Monday to 985 years to life in prison for raping and terrorizing his wife and teenage stepdaughter.

Rocky Sanchez, 36, who had prior convictions for assault and robbery, was found guilty last month of 42 criminal charges that included spousal rape, forcible rape, assault, attempted torture, aggravated mayhem and multiple weapons counts. Prosecutors said the attacks began after his wife admitted having an affair.

Investigators said handguns, rifles, a shotgun and a homemade cannon were found at Sanchez’s home.

In 1998, the El Monte City Council honored Sanchez for providing a license plate number and testifying in court in connection with a gang-related shooting.