NORWALK : Cable Talk-Show Host Convicted of Raping Girl
- Share via
A Downey cable television talk show host was convicted Wednesday of raping a 13-year-old girl who went to him looking for a job.
A Norwalk Superior Court jury deliberated for five hours over two days before convicting Tito David Valdez Jr., 23, after a trial that lasted less than a week. Valdez is to be sentenced Jan. 26 for the rape and molestation of the girl, who is now 14, court officials said.
Valdez and his 56-year-old father, Tito David Valdez Sr., face separate charges for allegedly trying to hire a hit man to kill the rape victim before she could testify.
Prosecutors said the younger Valdez persuaded the girl to sneak out of her Pico Rivera home at 11:45 p.m. last April 28 by telling her it was the only time he could give an interview for a job on his “Hollywood Haze” cable program.
Instead, Valdez took the girl to his family’s home in Downey and raped her, according to prosecutors.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
