Lawrence, Massachusetts — A Lawrence man was sentenced to serve 15 to 18 years in state prison yesterday in Salem Superior Court after being convicted by a jury of rape of a child and 3 counts of indecent assault and battery on a person under 14.  Judge James Lang also ordered that he serve 3 years of probation upon his release.

A jury returned guilty verdicts on 4 of the 6 counts against Anibal Gonzalez, 51, last Friday (1/25/19) following a 4-day trial.

During the trial, Essex Assistant District Attorney Jessica Strasnick introduced evidence that proved that the defendant raped and sexually assaulted the victim, who was 8 to 13 years old at the time, between 1996 and 2002.  The victim disclosed the assaults in 2016.

“The courage required for this victim to come forward and face her attacker cannot be overstated,” District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said.  “My hope is that the verdict and this sentence allow her to heal and fully understand that what happened to her was not her fault.”

ADA Strasnick thanked Lawrence Police Detective Amanda Burke and Essex Victim Advocate Michelle Defeo for their assistance.

The defendant was represented by Attorney Lynette Leos.