Hollister police arrested a 17-year-old male on suspicion of drugging and raping a female over the July 4 weekend, according to police.
Police noted in a statement how the district attorney’s office Thursday formally charged Donovan Mahler, 17, in the case while alleging he drugged and raped a female victim at a party on Main Alley.
According to the full police statement:
On July 9, 2015, Hollister Police Officers arrested a 17 year old male on suspicion of rape of an intoxicated or drugged victim. On July 16, 2015, the male was formally charged by the District Attorney’s Office as an adult.
Last week a Hollister Police Officer was called to the home of a juvenile victim after she disclosed she was sexually assaulted at a party over the weekend of the Fourth of July. The victim advised she was at a party with friends at a home on Main Alley when she was given a drink. After drinking the beverage she began to vomit and feel weak. During the time she was there, she recalled being taken to another area on the property away from the other people at the party. She recalled waking up while being sexually assaulted and trying to get away from her assailant. The victim was able to identify the suspect as Donovan Mahler (17). Over the next few days, detectives were able to gather further evidence to corroborate the victim’s account.
On July 9, 2015, Detectives and Officers from the Hollister Police Department, along with Probation Officers executed a search warrant on the home on Main Alley. Mahler was contacted on the property and placed under arrest for suspicion of rape. Detectives also were able to gather further evidence at the scene of the alleged rape.
On July 16, 2015, Mahler was formally charged in court as an adult. He was charged with one count of 261(a) (2) Rape by force and 1 count of 261(a) (3) rape of a person prevented from resistance due to intoxication or any controlled substance.
Police advise parents to talk with their children about drinking at parties and drinking from open containers. Intoxicants or drugs can easily be served to unsuspecting victims and be undetected by sweet tasting beverages like soda or flavored alcoholic drinks. Police suspect that incidents like this may happen frequently and go unreported. Only by victims coming forward, can we work together to keep this from happening to someone else in the future.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of rape or any other form of sexual assault and you don’t feel comfortable speaking with the police you can call Community Solutions at 1-877-END SADV (1-877-363-7238)
This is still an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this case or any other similar case is asked to call Hollsiter Police Detectives at 636-4330. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip hotline at 800-78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
