Ventura Sexual Assault Defendant Pleads Guilty

Wednesday December 04, 2024

     A Ventura sexual assault defendant who had also been accused at one point of plotting to kill the victim has pleaded guilty to several charges.

     39-year-old Omar Lara pleaded guilty Wednesday to forcible rape, a second sexual assault charge, and first degree residential burglary.

     He also admitted a special allegation related to allegations that he had threatened the victim in an effort to prevent her from testifying.

     An earlier charge directly related to allegations that he tried to have her killed was not included in the plea agreement.

     The original crime involving the sexual assault took place in February of 2019 at her home on Howard Street in Ventura.

     Lara was known to the victim but police say he broke into her home and sexually assaulted and threatened her.

     He was arrested later that same day at Ventura Harbor.

     While in custody for the sexual assault, the authorities discovered Lara was allegedly trying to hire someone to kill her.

     Lara, who Ventura police said was from Oxnard and the DA's Office said Ventura, remains in the Ventura County Jail on $720,000 bail, and will be sentenced on January 9th.