Topeka man sentenced to 20 years for attempted rape, breach of privacy

TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office says a Topeka man is being sentenced after he was accused of holding three women captive several years ago.

Katie Garceran, a spokeswoman for the Shawnee County DA’s Office, says Paul G. Mendez is sentenced to 20.5 years. Of the 19 charges Mendez was on trial for, he was found guilty and sentenced to the following:

  • Two counts of attempted rape; sexual intercourse without consent and use of force.

  • Breach of privacy; install/use concealed camcorder without consent.

Mendez was arrested in early 2021 following a reported rape of a woman in her southwest Topeka apartment in 2019. The Shawnee County DA later charged him with rape, aggravated criminal sodomy, kidnapping and aggravated burglary.

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Mendez was later accused of holding three women captive and sexually assaulting them between August 2019 and January 2021. Each of the victims was known to Mendez.

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