Arkansas man gets 45 years with 24 to serve for wife rape, kidnapping

A Siloam Springs, AR man was sentenced to 45 years Thursday for kidnapping and raping his wife, then holding their 5 year old son as a human shield when police arrived back in April 20, 2007.

Ciro Jimenez was found guilty Thursday, April 30, of rape and kidnapping, Class Y felonies in Arkansas, and the Class D felonies of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree. The assault charge was enhanced because it was done in the presence of their 5 year old son.

The jury recommended that Jimenez serve 15 years for rape; 20 years for kidnapping; five years for aggravated assault; five years for the enhancement; and five years for endangering the welfare of a minor.

The panel did not recommend whether Jimenez would serve the sentences concurrently or consecutively, but [Benton County Circuit Court Judge] Clinger ordered Jimenez to serve five years each for the aggravated assault and the endangering convictions. The judge sentenced Jimenez to five years for the enhancement charge. Clinger sentenced Jimenez to 15 years for rape and 20 years for kidnapping. He ordered the sentences to be served consecutively.

His wife testified that Jimenez forcibly held her in their home for about 20 hours. She testified he attacked her and tied, taped and gagged her. He also raped her on two occasions, she testified. She was able to call 911, and a Benton County Sheriff's Office deputy responded to the scene.

The deputy was met by an armed Jimenez, who pointed a .45-caliber gun toward the deputy. Jimenez was holding his 5-year-old son as a shield. The deputy retreated behind his vehicle for cover and drew his weapon.

After several minutes, Jimenez dropped his weapon and was arrested. After Jimenez was placed in the patrol car, he was recorded telling his nephew to have his (Jimenez's) wife killed. Jurors listened to and watched the recording.

Due to the above account of the attack, Deputy Prosecutor Carrie Dobbs asked all sentences to be run consecutively. "'I will get out one day and get my revenge," Jimenez said before the attack.

The judge presiding over the trial was Benton County Circuit Judge David Clinger, who described the crimes of conviction as violent crimes leaving a woman and her son victims. While the gun was not discharged during the standoff according to Clinger, "the deputy sheriff had to respond. It's his job. He walked into the face of death."