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MARTINEZ — A jury found two Antioch men guilty last week of multiple charges in connection with a 2020 sexual assault and robbery at gunpoint, with the pair now scheduled for a December sentencing before a judge, authorities said.
According to statements, Antioch police responded around 1 a.m. Oct. 17, 2020, to the Palms parking lot on G Street for a report of a sexual assault. Officers arrived to learn that two foreign national students, a 26-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, had finished fishing in the San Joaquin River off a nearby pier and returned to their car when they were approached by two gunmen, who robbed and pistol-whipped them before forcing the woman to perform sexual acts.
After gathering extensive video evidence from near the original scene and at an ATM camera, investigators learned the gunmen then left in a vehicle but stopped soon after at an ATM to use a victim’s credit card. Paired with matches of forensic evidence and a reference sample, officers arrested Kenry Young, 31, on Oct. 22 at his home, only a few blocks away from the scene.
A second suspect, Young’s older brother Lamar Young, was arrested Oct. 29 in Stockton. Investigators submitted case evidence to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, which charged the pair Nov. 2, 2020, with half a dozen felony counts, including aggravated assault with a firearm, oral copulation by force, robbery, sexual penetration by force and sodomy.
After a five-week trial, the jury found the brothers guilty Sept. 26, 2022, of assault, robbery and forcible oral copulation and sexual penetration by a foreign object with enhancements for the use of a dangerous or deadly weapon.
Each brother faces a minimum of 30 years to life in prison in a sentencing hearing scheduled before Judge Rebecca Hardie, according to a district attorney’s spokesman Thursday.
“While we regret these crimes took place, we would like to commend the bravery of the victims for coming forward and assisting with the prosecution of these two men,” Antioch police said in part in a statement Thursday praising Antioch police Det. Kelly Inabnett, the county sheriff’s crime lab, Stockton police and the Federal Bureau of Investigations’ serological research institute.
“Because of their efforts, the Young brothers will never be able to victimize anyone else.”
Both men were in custody Thursday at Martinez county jail on $3,450,000 bail. One of two attorneys representing the men was reached for comment Thursday but declined, citing the ongoing judicial process.
Anyone with information may call Antioch police Det. Inabnett at 925-779-6932 or email kinabnett@antiochca.gov, or send anonymous tips by text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.
Staff writer Nate Gartrell contributed to this report. Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.
Originally published at George Kelly