Man Who Kidnapped and Assaulted Medford Woman Sentenced to 30+ Years in Prison

The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office announced yesterday that Christian Alexander Sanchez, 30, was sentenced to 370 months in the Oregon Department of Corrections for the rape, kidnapping, and physical assault of an 18-year-old Medford woman in September 2020. All 370 months are sentenced as Measure 11 time, meaning Sanchez is not eligible for good time, earned time, programs, or transitional leave. He will also be on life-time post-prison supervision and will have to register as a sex offender.

Sanchez was convicted on September 16, by a Jackson County jury of first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, three counts of second-degree assault, coercion, three counts of unlawful use of a weapon, causing another person to ingest a controlled substance, and two counts of fourth-degree assault Domestic Violence. His trial lasted four days.

The Jackson County Grand Jury indicted Sanchez on September 15th, 2020, after hearing testimony from the named victim and a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detective. He has remained in custody since that time.

This conviction and sentence is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the JCSO deputies, Criminal Investigations Division (CID) detectives, and our local DA’s office. JCSO investigated this case in the aftermath of the Almeda and Obenchain Fires when resources were stretched thin and deputies were working around the clock.

The following contains accounts of victim’s testimony and details about the case which may be upsetting to some readers.

Discretion is advised.

In late August or early September 2020, the victim, then 18 years old, agreed to spend the evening with Sanchez. The two had previously been in a romantic relationship which had ended after Sanchez broke the victim’s nose. After the relationship ended, Sanchez served a post-prison sanction for approximately three months on unrelated convictions. Once released he contacted the victim and told her he was a changed man and he had found God. Believing him, the victim met him in her neighborhood and was transported to a farm in Ashland.

Although initially things were okay between the two, the situation quickly turned violent. During trial the victim testified she was not allowed to leave the trailer and if she tried, she would be beaten. The beatings were considered to be “consequences” and would occur any time Sanchez felt they were necessary. She went on to describe having to stand on one foot with her toes pointed and when she could no longer hold the pose, her feet were beaten with a hammer. The assaults were daily and included the use of a hammer, butane torch, glass foundation bottle, and Sanchez’s fists. Additionally, Sanchez threatened to use pliers to remove the victim’s teeth; going so far as to open her mouth and place the pliers directly on her teeth. Sanchez also attempted to pry out the victim’s body jewelry, strangled her to unconsciousness on multiple occasions and bit her all over her body.

The violence escalated until sometime in the early evening of September 12, 2020, when the victim’s sister was able to contact her via cell phone. Sanchez had left the victim’s phone in the trailer when he went to get dinner and run errands. After being convinced by her sister to run, the victim hobbled to the only house in the area with a light on. The house belonged to Sanchez’s grandparents who were unaware that the victim was on the property. They agreed to take the victim to her mother’s house in Medford. Upon arrival the victim was covered from head to toe in injuries, which included fractured ribs, black eyes, a swollen jaw and battered feet. The victim could not chew or breath without pain. It was nearly impossible for her to walk and two ribs had been fractured. Her hair was so matted it would later have to be shaved. The victim had bruises and burns all over of her body. In addition to the physical abuse she suffered, the victim was also forced to ingest methamphetamines on multiple occasions. If she refused there would be “consequences” and she would be beaten.

The victim underwent a sexual assault examination and disclosed numerous incidents of rape and sodomy. She was able to tell a nurse that sexual contact was painful due to her extensive injuries and if she were to refuse Sanchez, there would be “consequences”. She also told medical staff she was in fear for not only her safety, but the safety of her family as Sanchez made threats to kill them all.

The victim made an initial description of the property made and the suspect was obtained. Members of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office approached the trailer on Mowetza Drive and ordered Sanchez out. Despite repeated commands, Sanchez refused. The door to the trailer was eventually broken, and Sanchez was removed from the property in the early morning hours of September 13, 2020. Evidence, including the items used to assault the victim, were collected at that time. Blood samples from Sanchez’s bed along with DNA from the SANE kit were sent to the Oregon State Police Forensic Crime Lab. Sanchez’s DNA could not be excluded from cervical/vaginal swabs and the victim’s blood was confirmed to be present on Sanchez’s bed.

During sentencing Sanchez read a prepared statement, but did not apologize for his conduct. Judge Lorenzo Mejia stated the following:

“This is just a horrible case. I feel it in my body as I did during the trial. Mr. Sanchez, part of that was thinking about you. You did not help yourself with that statement. The level of self-centeredness is just shocking. The letters that were provided about how you were out and about and helping relatives – but then you went home and you did this to her. You got her testimony wrong. She said there were (sexual assaults) that she did not consent to. This will affect her for the rest of her life. You’re going to miss a lot, but this was awful and repeated abuse… You took advantage of her.”

A family member of the victim spoke, expressing gratitude that after two years this was finally over for the victim. “You will be forgotten after this day.”