Report David Cortinas/La Voz
PASCO, WA. – A downtown Pasco businessman, Gilberto Mendoza Castillo, age 51, and owner of Taxes y Mas pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the State of Washington in and for the County of Franklin to rape in the third degree.
This report and in the transcript outlines the charge, the legal elements, the plea agreement and prosecutorial recommendations, judicial discretion and appeal rights, acknowledged legal consequences, the defendant’s statement of facts, and some police report details, and signing of the plea agreement.
In the Superior Court of the State of Washington in and for the County of Franklin versus Gilberto Mendoza Castillo came to a plea agreement and found with the evidence that Mendoza agreed to the crime of Count one, rape in the third degree (as amended); and Castillo Mendoza acknowledged receiving a copy of the plea’s agreement before signing the plea deal.
Judge Bronson Brown asked Gilberto Mendoza to write in his own words of the crime he committed as follows in the documents received by this news media La Voz Hispanic Newspaper and his statement reads as follows; “On or about April 6th and 7th, 2020, I engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim who did not consent to the sexual intercourse, which was expressed by her conduct” Castillo Mendoza wrote in the document. This occurred in Franklin County. Pasco, Washington.”
Police Report Summary
The Pasco Police Department reported probable cause for the arrest and detention of Gilberto Mendoza Castillo. On April 8th, 2020, at approximately 6.56 hours, Pasco Police were dispatched to a phone contact for a cold rape report. Officer Chad Aycock called the reporting party (the victim). “More information on the actual insult to the victim will be in the next report of La Voz Hispanic Newspaper. Maximine term and fine is 5 years in confinement and $10,000 if the plea agreement is not fully implemented.
Legal Definition Stated
Rape in the third degree: A person commits the crime when he or she engages in sexual intercourse with another person when the other person did not consent to the sexual intercourse, and such lack of consent was clearly expressed by the other person’s word or conduct. Castillo Mendoza, agreed to the consequences of the guilty plea understood that his rights are limited to an appeal and each crime with which he is being charged carries a maximum sentence, a fine, and a standard sentence range as follows and or if recommended to the judge: 6 – 12 months in confinement or prison time, 1 year of community custody and a No Contact Order with the victim and register as a sex offender when back into society and standard fines and fees. The restitution will be determined at the time of sentencing, if ordered by Judge Bronson Brown.
Plea and Prosecutor’s Recommendation
The defendant was advised of his rights and accepted a guilty plea to rape in the third degree. In exchange for a guilty plea, the Prosecutor Attorney will recommend to the judge: 12 months in confinement and one year of community custody. A no-contact order with the victim. Registration as a sex offender. Standard fines and fees; restitution may be determined as explained
Judicial Discretion and Appeals
The judge does not have to follow any recommendation as to sentence. The judge may impose an exceptional sentence below the standard range if mitigating circumstances justify it.
The judge may impose an exceptional sentence above the standard range, including when being sentenced for more than one crime and with an “offended score of more than a nine.”
The judge may also impose an exceptional sentence above the standard range if the state finds that Mr. Castillo stipulated the justice is best served by imposition of an exceptional sentence, and the judge agrees that an exceptional sentence is consistent with the interest of justice and the purpose of the sentencing reform act.
If the court imposes a standard-range sentence, no one may appeal the sentence. If the court imposes an exceptional sentence after the hearing, either the state or Mr. Castillo can appeal.
Consequences and Legal Obligations Acknowledged Firearms: Mr. Castillo may not possess, own, or have under any control a firearm or, under federal law, any firearm or ammunition, unless his right is restored by the Washington superior court of conviction and by a federal court, if required. He must immediately surrender any concealed pistol license.
Voting: He will be ineligible to register to vote until the right is restored as provided by law. His right to vote is automatically restored as long as he is not serving a sentence of total confinement under the Department of Corrections and not incarcerated for a felony conviction in federal court or any state court other than Washington.
Registration: He will be required to register where he resides, studies, or works; specific registration requirements are described in the offender registration. “Most serious offense/strike” acknowledgment: Mr. Mendoza agrees that the offense is the most serious offense or strike as defined in RCW 91948.030. If he has at least two prior convictions for most serious offenses (in this state, federal court, or elsewhere), the offense carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Defendant’s Statements and Plea Colloquy
The defendant stated: he makes the plea “freely and voluntarily,” no one threatened harm to cause the plea, and no promises were made to induce the plea except those set forth in the statement.
Signing and Court Details
Castillo Mendoza also signed his plea agreement on the 19th day of May in 2026 to this agreement with Judge Bronson J. Brown.
Next Steps / Actions
The court will determine sentencing; the judge may impose a standard-range or exceptional sentence. If an exceptional sentence is imposed after the hearing, either party may appeal; no appeal is allowed for a standard-range sentence.
Immediate obligations acknowledged: surrender any concealed pistol license; comply with firearm prohibitions; complete required sex offender registration where he resides, studies, or works.
Reporter David Cortinas can be reached via email: lavoz@bmi.net or via telephone (509)539-2753. This report can be read also on the La Voz Bi-Lingual website: www.lavozhispanicnews.com in English and Spanish.
