Salinas, California — A Monterey County jury convicted a local barber of sexual assault following allegations involving clients at his business. The verdict follows testimony from three men who described unwanted sexual contact during separate haircut appointments.
Salinas Jury Convicts Barber in Client Assault Case
A Monterey County jury found 45-year-old Salinas resident Rafael Martinez Vargas guilty on July 27, 2026, of forcible oral copulation and sexual battery. Prosecutors said the March 3, 2024, assault occurred during a routine appointment at Haircuts in Shape, where the client had received services for years.
The client testified that Vargas touched him without consent, pulled down his clothing, and continued despite efforts to push him away. Two additional former clients described separate unwanted sexual contact in 2017 and November 2019.
Each testified that he froze during the incident. Vargas remains in Monterey County Jail. He faces up to eight and one-half years in state prison, sex offender registration, and sentencing on August 27.
California Civil Claims After a Sexual Assault Conviction
A criminal verdict determines criminal responsibility, but survivors may pursue a civil claim. California law defines sexual battery as nonconsensual intimate touching for sexual arousal, gratification, or abuse.
Code of Civil Procedure section 340.16 gives adult survivors the later of 10 years from the last assault or three years from the discovery of an injury or illness. A criminal prosecution or conviction is not required. Certain expired claims may be revived under Assembly Bill 250 through December 31, 2027, subject to statutory limits.
Potential legal considerations include:
- Therapy costs, medical expenses, lost income, and emotional harm
- Claims against the perpetrator and, in qualifying cases, a responsible business
- Preserving records, messages, receipts, witness information, and reports
Deadlines depend on the facts.
Discuss Your Case With Women’s Rights Group
Sexual assault can cause long-term distress and difficult decisions for survivors and their families. Those who froze, delayed reporting, or did not physically resist should still explore their options.
A sexual assault lawyer from Women’s Rights Group can assess your situation, identify key evidence, explain deadlines, and determine whether a civil claim is possible. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation about your next steps.
