Fresno serial rapist admits to crimes in court, faces life in prison

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Fresno County man pleaded guilty in court Thursday, years after investigators say he raped a string of local women.

56-year-old Cesar Flores entered the plea just before a Fresno County judge was able to decide if prosecutors had enough evidence for trial.

Flores was just moments away from seeing his victims in court as they prepared to testify against him.

Flores is a serial rapist, now convicted of two counts plus another two counts of forceful lewd acts with children under 14.

Some of the assaults happened 10 years ago, but authorities didn't arrest Flores until last July.

It was a D-N-A breakthrough that led investigators to Flores. For years, technology had only connected the rapes to each other but never to a suspect.

Eventually, though, genealogy experts landed on Flores.

He's denied the nearly two dozen charges since his arrest, but on Thursday, a stunning reversal in court. Altogether, Flores pleaded guilty to four felonies.

Each count involves a separate victim, whom he admitted was "vulnerable."

As part of the plea, Flores agreed to a 45-year-to-life prison sentence. He also gave up his right to appeal, meaning the conviction is final.

Action News has learned that the victims support the plea and could potentially hear their stories when Flores is sentenced on July 20.

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