Defendant Sentenced to 95 Years in Kidnapping, Sexual Assault

FLORENCE, AZ (July 9th, 2024) -  - The Office of Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer announced Cristobal Cardenas, 45, has been sentenced to 95 years in prison for kidnapping a woman and sexually assaulting her on numerous occasions.

On July 8th, 2024, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Jason Holmberg imposed the sentence.

A jury found Cardenas guilty of three counts of Sexual Assault, all Class Two Felonies; and Kidnapping, a Class Two Felony.

In December 2021, Cardenas picked up a sex worker and after having consensual sex, drove the victim around, strangled her and engaged in sexual conduct without her consent. Cardenas then took the victim to a home in Maricopa, where he restrained the victim and again sexually assaulted her. At some point, Cardenas left the room and the victim was able to break free from the zip tie restraints and was able to run to a nearby house to seek help. The Maricopa Police Department responded to the scene and took Cristobal into custody.

“It is hard to comprehend the brutality the victim had to endure,” said County Attorney Kent Volkmer. "Fortunately, after a trial on the merits the Defendant was convicted, held accountable, and will now spend the rest of his life behind bars."

The victim testified at trial and a medical examination conducted during the investigation revealed injuries consistent with her accounting of what occurred.

This case was investigated by the Maricopa Police Department.

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