LANCASTER - A convicted killer who was found guilty of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and trying to kill a woman in the Antelope Valley was sentenced Friday.
Leonard Earl Bales stood in front of an Antelope Valley Courthouse judge Friday to find out his fate after a jury found him guilty on seven charges including attempted murder, kidnapping and sexual assault in January. His sentence is 86 years to life in prison.
“It is this court’s intention, keeping in mind the number one priority of the safety of the community, to try to ensure that Mr. Bales never get out of custody, quite frankly,” said Judge Kathleen Blanchard.
The assault happened in September 2015 when the Palmdale man choked a 35-year-old woman until she was unconscious. He then kidnapped her and took her to a vacant Quartz Hill home where he sexually assaulted her.
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This wasn’t his first offense. According to the District Attorney’s office, Bales was convicted for killing a woman in Lancaster in 1998. He was sentenced to 18 years but was released on parole in 2013. He also has a 1994 conviction for assault and first degree burglary.
“The fact that he already served 12 years for the strangulation death of a prostitute and after serving that 12 years, while on parole for that crime, committed these crimes, shows that he is a grave danger to society,” said Blanchard.
Bale’s attorney notified the court that he plans to appeal.