Manager sentenced after pleading guilty to attempted rape of employee

Ronaldo Duarte, 36, was sentenced to consecutive terms of 2 1/2 to 5 years in prison and 5 years probation for the attempted rape of his employee at a suburban Philadelphia restaurant. The victim was a 21 year old college student.

Duarte made sexual advances to his employee outside the restaurant, which she refused. The victim went outside for a break, and Duarte followed her. He tried to rip her clothes off to rape her, and she fought back. She went to the police that night and was examined at a hospital.

When confronted by police, court records say, Duarte confessed. Standing next to his attorney, Mel Kardos, Duarte apologized to the victim in court Friday.

“I feel so bad. I will regret it for the rest of my life,” he said.

The victim told the judge that she still suffers from nightmares and anxiety, and that her grades have dropped since the attack.

“I will never forget what happened to me. It's unfortunate that he will never understand that,” she said. “I just hope that since I found the strength to stand up to Ronaldo, that it will protect others.”

Duarte was ordered to sign Pennsylvania's Sex Offender Registry for the next decade, get sex offender treatment, and have no contact with the victim. The presiding judge praised the victim for fighting back against her attacker.

“I have been impressed by your strength throughout this case,” Judge Albert Cepparulo told the woman. “You stood up to him then, and you stood up now.”

Duarte pled no contest, which is the same as a guilty plea for all purposes except civil lawsuits.