September 12, 2019- Commonwealth v. Eliseo Navedo:  After deliberating for nearly six hours, a Dauphin County jury found Eliseo Navedo, 60, formerly of Dauphin, PA, guilty of Rape; Involuntary Deviate Sexual Assault; Indecent Assault; Unlawful Restraint; Simple Assault; and Terroristic Threats.  He was acquitted of Possession of Instruments of a Crime. 

The charges originated from an incident on August 15, 2015.  On that date at approximately 12:30AM, a 29 year-old woman ran naked out of the defendant’s home screaming.  She went to a neighbor’s home banging on the door crying for help—the neighbor let the injured women into the home and immediately called 911.  Pennsylvania State Police and EMTs from Community Lifeteam responded to the call. 

The Police investigation revealed that the woman had met Navedo at a rehab center in Philadelphia two weeks earlier.  She indicated he offered her a place to stay while she attempted to battle her addiction to heroin.  She indicated that in the two weeks following, Navedo repeatedly threatened her; physically assaulted her; and sexually assaulted her.  During the four-day trial, the victim testified that she felt trapped with him because she was still struggling with drug addiction and she had nowhere else to go. 

On August 14^, 2015, Navedo became enraged with her when she ate take-out food in his car.  He proceeded to punch her repeatedly and pulled her by the hair into his residence.  He then proceeded to orally, vaginally, and anally rape her.  She testified that during the assaults, she was able to kick Navedo off of her and ran from the home with just a bra on.  Troopers who went to the home that night, found Navedo intoxicated and bleeding from his hands.  A trail of blood led from the bed in the house to the outdoor steps.  They also found a large clump of hair in the room which had been yanked from the victim’s head. 

During trial, defense counsel argued that the victim and Navedo were in a consensual relationship and that the victim was lying about the sexual assault.  He claimed that the incident was actually a fight between the two parties when he was trying to kick her out of his house.   Chief Deputy District Attorney Jennifer W. Gettle argued: 

The case “Shows the horrible combination of domestic violence and drug addiction.  The testimony of the victim in this case was gut-wrenching.  Fortunately, this horrific crime was the rock-bottom for the victim and she is now clean three years.” 

Pointing out significant inconsistent statements Navedo made to the police—as well as inconsistencies in his own testimony, Gettle argued that the victim was credible and that Navedo should be held accountable.

Sentencing in this case is set for December 9, 2019, after a Megan’s Law report is completed by the Sexual Offender’s Board.  Navedo is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of at least ten years because he is a Second-Strike Violent Offender.  He was convicted in Berks County in 1984 of Third Degree Murder for the beating death of his girlfriend’s 18 month old child.  The jury in this case was not aware of the prior conviction due to evidentiary rules prohibiting its introduction into evidence.

After the verdict, Gettle stated:

“The Commonwealth is relieved by the verdict of the jury.  The victim in this case is a remarkable woman.  She is truly a survivor.  Rather, than letting this crime drag her further into addiction, she worked thru the trauma and is an inspiration to others who find themselves in the throes of addiction and domestic violence.  If you find yourself needing assistance due to addiction or a domestic violence relationship, please know that help is available.”

Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Services 717-635-2254

Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Trooper Jeremy Baluh and Trooper Brent Miller of the Pennsylvania State Police investigated this case.