Deli co-owner sentenced to 9 years for sexually assaulting intoxicated woman

Steven Michael DeSisto, the co-owner of a local Italian deli, has been sentenced to nine years in state prison for sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced on Monday, March 2.
Deputy District Attorney Sherry Powell said DeSisto, 53, was found guilty on Dec. 18 of two felony counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object while the victim was intoxicated and one misdemeanor count each of possession of a controlled substance and unauthorized invasion of privacy.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark Kim of the Long Beach branch also ordered that DeSisto be required to register as a sex offender for life.
DeSisto had drinks with the female victim on Aug. 7, 2013, according to the LADA’s office. After the woman became intoxicated, the defendant took her to his Long Beach apartment, according to court testimony.
The woman passed out at DeSisto’s home and awoke as he sexually assaulted her, the prosecutor said. The victim left the home and notified police about the assault.
According to evidence presented at trial, DeSisto had taken cellphone pictures of the victim during the sexual assault. During the investigation, police also discovered cocaine at the defendant’s apartment. The case was investigated by the Long Beach Police Department.
DeSisto is the co-owner of Rocco’s Deli Italiano, which has locations in Long Beach and in Signal Hill.
Source: LADA’s office