DA: 24-year-old man sentenced to life in prison, sexual assault
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A man is sentenced to life in prison for attempted murder, and sexual assault, according to the Office of the District Attorney (DA), County of Tulare.
According to Department 10 of the Tulare County Superior Court, the court sentenced 24-year-old Wesley Anderson to life in prison for attempted murder and sexual assault.
On Nov. 2, 2022, the DA says Visalia Police Department officers responded to a 911 call of an assault in progress. When officers arrived at the residence, they contacted an adult female outside covered in blood with major injuries. Officers say they could hear another female nearby screaming. As officers approached the house, a second adult female opened the front door with her hands zip-tied. Anderson had already fled the scene according to the DA.
Through the investigation, the DA says it was learned that Anderson intended to kill one victim and sexually assault the other. Anderson initially hid in a closet and attacked the first victim, beating her and stabbing her with a pocketknife, before zip-tying his second victim and assaulting her. The assault lasted approximately 20 seconds before police arrived. Anderson was known to both victims.
Anderson was apprehended shortly after in Barstow as he attempted to make his way to Las Vegas, says the DA.
On Feb. 16, 2024, the DA says, Anderson pleaded guilty to pre-meditated attempted murder with the special allegations of a great bodily injury and use of a deadly weapon, assault to commit a felony during a burglary with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, and sexual assault by force with the special allegations that he kidnapped the victim, did so during a burglary, and inflicted great bodily injury.
According to current California sentencing laws, Anderson must serve 25 years in prison prior to receiving a parole hearing. In addition to his sentence, Anderson must register as a sex offender for life.
