Retrial Ordered On Unresolved Charges In Ventura County Serial Sexual Assault Case

Monday March 10, 2025

     Updated--The judge has approved the prosecution's request for a retrial on the unresolved charges in a Ventura County serial sexual assault case.

     Those unresolved charges included two counts of forcible rape.

     The jury in the first trial deadlocked on those charges and one other so a mistrial was declared.

     In the meantime, sentencing for 28-year-old Charles Gaines III of Colorado on the two counts where the jury did reach guilty verdicts is on hold pending the retrial.

     Those guilty verdicts were attempted forcible rape and sodomy by force.

     Gaines was charged in connection with the sexual assaults of 4 victims in both Simi Valley and Los Angeles.

     Prosecutors argued that DNA linked him to the crimes.

     Gaines testified in his own defense at the trial in January.

     Jury deliberations lasted for more than two weeks before the jury returned with the guilty verdicts on two counts but were hopelessly deadlocked on the three other charges.

     The judge then declared a mistrial on those three charges.

     Gaines remains in jail on no bail and will be back in court on April 1st.