Sex offender sentenced to 290 years

A twice-convicted sex offender was sentenced Monday to 290 years to life for raping and repeatedly sexually assaulting two young relatives.

Before that sentence starts, Carl Skidmore must complete a 25-year sentence for related charges, including trying to hire someone to harm a witness.

Skidmore, who turns 57 next week, will be required to serve about 20 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole on the shorter sentence, prosecutor Carla Rodriguez said.

After that, he must serve the 290 years to life.

Skidmore, of Santa Rosa, was convicted in 1985 of molesting another female family member and was a registered sex offender. In 2005, authorities discovered he was abusing two female relatives, ages 11 and 14.

After a trial that included complex DNA evidence, a jury convicted him of multiple rape and sexual assault charges.

He previously had admitted a separate charge of trying to hire someone to assault the victims' brother to prevent the girls from testifying.

Skidmore's aunt, sister and mother also were convicted of conspiracy for their roles in trying to intimidate witnesses in the rape case.

Both girls testified against Skidmore at trial.

Because of a "one strike and you're out" sentencing law in certain sexual assault cases, the punishment for four of Skidmore's charges were doubled from 25 years to life to 50 years to life in prison, Rodriguez said. Three others mandated sentences of 30 years to life.

Judge René Chouteau also ordered Skidmore to serve 12 years each for two counts of molestation and 16 months for the witness intimidation.

You can reach Staff Writer Lori A. Carter at 568-5312 or lori.carter@pressdemocrat.com.