A jury found a Scranton man guilty of rape of an 18-year-old autistic woman Thursday after a four-day trial before Lackawanna County Judge Michael Barrasse.
Mario Valentine, 42, formerly of 1924 Lafayette St., faces up to 35 years of incarceration at the time of sentencing, according to District Attorney Brian Gallagher.
Valentine was was arrested on Jan. 6, 2024, after Scranton police responded to Geisinger Community Medical Center for the report of a sexual assault.
The victim suffers from autism spectrum disorder and pervasive developmental disorder, according to the criminal complaint.
“The jurors needed only 90 minutes to convict the defendant of rape of a mentally disabled person, aggravated indecent assault of a person suffering a mental disability, and indecent assault of a person suffering a mental disability,” Gallagher said. “We are glad that justice was served and the jurors held the Defendant accountable for his repulsive actions.”
Upon release Valentine will be required to register for the rest of his life as a sex offender with the Pennsylvania State Police, pursuant the Pennsylvania Sexual Offenders Registration and Notification Act.