A former horse trainer at Golden Gates Fields in Berkeley, Northern California, has been ordered to pay $9 million in damages after being accused of sexual assault. Ari Herbertson faced charges of sexual battery, forcible sexual penetration, and assault with intent to commit a sex crime. However, these charges were dropped in a plea deal, and he pleaded no contest to assault with a deadly weapon. He was sentenced to a year in jail and two years of probation.
The victim, a former law enforcement officer, alleged that Herbertson slipped a date rape drug into her mimosa, causing her to feel instantly intoxicated. She claimed that Herbertson and another suspect took her to a nearby field to rape her. The victim, relying on her police training, preserved evidence from the assault.
During the trial, Judge Jeffrey Brand stated that the suspect’s guilt was “more probable than not” and ordered him to pay the substantial $9 million sum. The judge highlighted the severe consequences the victim experienced as a result of the assault, including her fear of purchasing beverages in public due to drugging concerns. The victim also testified about memory loss and intentional weight gain to make herself less attractive and avoid future incidents.
The case has brought attention to issues of sexual assault and the lasting impact it can have on survivors. The court’s decision to award a significant amount in damages reflects the seriousness of the crime and the need for accountability.
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