The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office reports that trial proceedings for Ismael Gaspar, a Lyft driver accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl at a Palm Desert resort, has been declared a mistrial. On the second day of jury selection at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Albert J. Wojcik abruptly stopped proceedings and declared a mistrial was declared because Mr. Gaspar fell ill.
Mr. Gaspar is charged with one count of burglary, one count of committing lewd acts with a child under 14 years old, two counts of oral copulation of a minor under 14 years old, and two counts of providing a minor with a controlled substance. If convicted of all charges, Mr. Gaspar faces a maximum sentence of 16 years in state prison.
Arrested March 26, 2018, Gaspar was taken into custody on suspicion of sexually assaulting the teen passenger only days earlier at the Marriott Shadow Ridge Resort in Palm Desert. According to a trial brief Gaspar met the teen girl two days before the alleged assault when he picked her up for a ride. During that time, the two allegedly smoked methamphetamine before exchanging contact information. According to the prosecution, it was during this meeting when the girl told the Gaspar her true age.
The incident occurred when the pair allegedly met up again on March 20, 2018. The trial brief states that Gaspar brought the girl roses and the two smoked marijuana. They then continued on to the Marriott Shadow Ridge Resort, where Gaspar allegedly broke into the resort’s gym and where he sexually assaulted the victim.
Ismael Gaspar remains free on $55,000 bail and the full extent of his abuse is unclear. If you believe that you or a loved one is a survivor of sexual assault by Ismael Gaspar, a Lyft driver in the greater Palm Desert area, contact us immediately to explore your legal options and get help today.
You do not have to remain silent, we will fight for you and keep your identity confidential.