Life Sentence for Windsor Man Who Attacked Mother with Razor Blade

 Socorro Sierra, 29, of Windsor, was sentenced today to 15 years plus 25 years-to-life under California’s “Three Strikes Law,”  Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch announced today in a news release.

"Sierra was convicted by a Sonoma County jury in May of assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment after a week-long trial," Ravitch said in the release. "The jury also found true a sentencing enhancement that Sierra personally inflicted great bodily injury upon his mother during the assault."

Ravitch said the Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Arthur Wick also found true the allegations that Sierra had previously been convicted of two “strike” offenses and that he had been committed to prison on two prior occasions.

 “The court’s sentence reflects the fact that violence against family members will be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” Ravitch said.

 The investigation of the current offense began when the victim, Sierra’s mother, arrived at the hospital with her husband and son and a bloody laceration on the left side of her neck. 

The mother initially told the emergency room staff that she fell, but upon further questioning, outside the presence of her son, told the nurse that her son had assaulted her with a razor blade. 

Law enforcement was notified and further investigation revealed that Sierra and the victim were arguing over car keys that had been taken away from Sierra due to a recent loss of his job. 

As the victim attempted to leave for work, Sierra stepped in front of her with a razor blade in his hand and lunged at her, striking the left side of her neck.  The laceration required seven stitches. 

During the sentencing, Wick called the assault with a deadly weapon on Sierra’s mother “unthinkable” and said that the protection of society required the sentence imposed. 

Sierra’s prior “strike” convictions were a 2000 Sonoma County conviction for assault with a deadly weapon committed in association with or to benefit a criminal street gang and a 2001 Marin County conviction of first degree burglary. 

Under the California “Three Strikes Law,” Sierra was sentenced to the base term of 25 years to life with the possibility of parole.  He was sentenced to an additional 15 years in prison based on additional sentencing enhancements.

Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department Detective Shannon McAlvain was the investigating officer on the current case and Deputy District Attorney Jason Riehl handled the prosecution.