A former Lyft driver from Lompoc was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in state prison for sexually assaulting an intoxicated ride-share customer after taking the woman home from a DUI stop last year.
With his family members and the woman he assaulted sitting behind him in the San Luis Obispo County courtroom, Jason Lamont Fenwick said through his attorney that he’s remorseful and “ashamed” of his actions, and apologized to the victim.
A jury of seven women and five men found Fenwick guilty in December of assault with intent to commit sex crimes, oral copulation and sexual penetration with a foreign object.
Fenwick, 52, was also found guilty of a misdemeanor charge of unauthorized invasion of privacy for allegedly taking photographs of the 28-year-old victim as she lay unconscious in bed.
He faced a possible life sentence had the jury found him guilty of the most serious charge, assault with intent to commit a sex crime during the commission of a burglary.
With the lesser convictions, Fenwick faced a maximum sentence of 10 years and six months in state prison going into Wednesday’s hearing.
He claimed during his trial testimony that even though the victim, identified in court as Jane Doe, was “a mess” and “faded,” he believed the sexual activity was consensual, and thought that he was getting “lucky.”
At Wednesday’s hearing, Jane Doe, who was sitting in the audience with the lead detective in the case, did not make a statement.
But she did submit a victim’s impact statement to Superior Court Judge Matthew Guerrero, which Guerrero acknowledged he was taking into consideration when deciding Fenwick’s sentence.
Deputy District Attorney Chris White, who prosecuted the case, argued for the highest possible sentence for Fenwick based on the vulnerability of Jane Doe at the time she was assaulted.
“She wasn’t simply vulnerable because she was too drunk to consent,” White said. “She was in her own home, her own bed.”
He said that without the in-home surveillance system Jane Doe’s boyfriend had installed in the bedroom long before she moved in — without her knowledge at the time — the case may not have been successfully prosecuted.
“If this case had taken place in any other household (without a surveillance system), (Fenwick) might have gotten away with it,” White said.
The prosecutor added that Jane Doe continues to be greatly affected by the crimes.
“The fallout from Mr. Fenwick’s horrific actions cannot be overstated,” White said.
Jeff Chambliss, Fenwick’s attorney, argued before Guerrero that Fenwick should serve a term of six years in prison, supported by the fact that Fenwick had no significant criminal history prior to the case, and that he has a large family support system waiting for him when he’s released.
“He’s remorseful, Your Honor, and sorry for the pain and anguish he’s caused everyone, especially Jane Doe,” Chambliss said. “He’s ashamed.”
Asked if Fenwick wished to make a statement, Chambliss huddled with his client for a moment and responded, “He just wants to reiterate that he’s apologetic. He’s deeply remorseful for what has happened here.”
Guerrero ultimately held Fenwick to the maximum sentence for each charge, noting the vulnerability of Jane Doe, but suspended a six-month sentence for the unauthorized invasion of privacy charge.
Fenwick has a total of 507 days of time-served and good behavior credits. He must serve at least 85% of the remainder of his sentence due to the crime being considered violent under state law.
Once released, he must register as a sex offender for life.
Fenwick has 60 days to file an appeal.
Matt Fountain is a reporter for the San Luis Obispo Tribune. Contact him at mfountain@thetribunenews.com.