Anthony Francisco Jones sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for murder and sexual assault near the canals of Venice

VENICE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the murder and sexual abuse of a woman and the sexual abuse of another woman near the canals of Venice, prosecutors said on Friday.

“Our prosecutors fought hard today to bring justice in response to Mr. Anthony Jones' heinous acts, including a brutal murder,” Los Angeles District Attorney Gascón said in a statement. “Our condolences go out to the victim, the survivors, their families and the Venice community.”

Anthony Francisco Jones pleaded no contest and was sentenced by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Cathryn F. Brougham to life in prison plus 107 years to life in prison plus eight years in state prison.

The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of murder, two counts of rape, one count of sexual penetration by force, one count of assault, one count of torture and one count of sodomy by force.

Jones also admitted that the defendant kidnapped the victims, committed crimes against more than one victim and inflicted serious bodily harm on the victims, prosecutors said in a news release. He also admitted that the murder of one of the victims occurred while he was committing rape and sodomy.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the dedicated professionals of our Sex Crimes Unit and the investigators of the Los Angeles Police Department. Their tireless efforts and commitment to justice were instrumental in bringing the perpetrator to justice and providing some measure of justice for the victims,” ​​Gascón said.

Officers responded around 10:30 p.m. on April 6 to a report that a woman was attacked from behind and struck with a blunt object, rendering her unconscious, authorities said. About an hour later, the suspect attacked another woman in a similar manner as she walked near the Sherman Canal.

Jones was arrested in San Diego on April 11, according to Los Angeles police. One of the victims died of his injuries on May 20.