Domestic abuser sentenced to more than 15 years in prison

Defendant Adrian Aldama, 37 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced Wednesday by the Honorable Troye Shaffer to serve 15 years, 4 months in state prison after pleading “no contest” in August to six felonies involving domestic violence causing injury, assault with a deadly weapon, making death threats, and false imprisonment.

District Attorney Carla Rodriguez stated, “Too often family violence remains in the shadows.  Mr. Aldama’s prison sentence is a stark reminder that domestic violence happens here in Sonoma County. While I am concerned about the potential of Mr. Aldama’s early release, we will continue to support the victim and her son as they move forward in their lives due to the victim’s incredible strength and courage.”

The case was charged after discovering that Aldama had committed numerous acts of domestic violence against the 38-year-old female victim during their eight-month relationship from August 2022 to March 2023. During one incident Aldama threw the victim to the ground while she was approximately six-weeks pregnant, forcibly pressed his knee into her stomach, and strangled her with his hands until she stopped breathing. The victim reported later suffering a miscarriage after the assault. Another incident involved Aldama suffocating the victim in her bed with a pillow, forcing her 12-year-old son to intervene in the assault by threatening to call the police. The victim reported numerous other occasions where Aldama had strangled her, threatened to break her jaw, and threatened to kill her during their brief relationship. Aldama admitted to officers that he was using fentanyl and methamphetamine when the crimes occurred.

Aldama had several prior criminal convictions before beginning his violent relationship with the victim. In 2018 Aldama was convicted of reckless driving, as well as for carrying a concealed firearm. Also, in 2018 Aldama was convicted of a “strike” offense for attempted robbery after he entered a market wearing a ski mask, held a store clerk hostage with a shotgun, and fired the shotgun beside the clerk’s head. Aldama was sentenced to five years in state prison for the attempted robbery, and was released on parole in July of 2022, shortly before he began dating the victim in this case.

The victim gave an emotional statement to the court at Aldama’s sentencing, stating, “It’s only by a miracle my oldest son isn’t the one giving his own victim impact statement for losing his mother. The truth is important. The truth is that I am alive only by a miracle not because Aldama had compassion but because a higher power decided it wasn’t my time.” The victim further told the court, “I didn’t deserve to lie in the dirt being strangled not knowing if I was going to live or die!”

Although Aldama was sentenced to 15 years, 4 months in state prison for his violent actions, due to the passage of Proposition 57 in 2016, CDCR classifies Aldama as a non-violent offender and he will be considered for release on parole after serving only 4 years of his sentence.

October is domestic violence awareness month. The District Attorney has made domestic violence a top priority of her office, and has assigned a dedicated team of experienced prosecutors, victim advocates, and investigators to handle these serious cases. Additionally, through a collaborative community response, the Family Justice Center Sonoma County provides free wrap-around services through a single point of access to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking, stalking, and elder abuse. Since opening its doors in 2011, the Family Justice Center Sonoma County has served over 15,000 victims of family and community violence, including over 2000 victims in 2021 alone.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Robert Blade, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Robyn Fuentes. The Santa Rosa Police Department headed the investigation.

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Contact Information
Media Coordinator, Carrie Trevena 
Media Spokesperson Assistant District Attorney Brian Staebell
Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California (707) 565-3098