Ventura Sexual Assault Defendant Sentenced To Prison

Thursday January 09, 2025

     Updated--A Ventura sexual assault defendant who had also been accused at one point of plotting to kill the victim has been sentenced to prison.

     A judge Thursday sentenced 39-year-old Omar Lara to 22 years in prison.

     In December, Lara had pleaded guilty 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 victim spoke at his sentencing hearing.

     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.