Judge Imposes the Maximum Sentence for Man Convicted of Kidnapping, Rape, Burglary, and Assault
May 31, 2024
OAKLAND, CA— Today, Alameda County District Attorney Price Pamela Price announced the sentencing of Keith Kenard Asberry Jr. (39), who was convicted last month after a jury trial on the charges. Mr. Asberry Jr. was sentenced to 75 years to life by Honorable Judge Thomas Reardon in Alameda County Superior Court after being found guilty of kidnapping, rape, burglary, and assault.
During the trial, the prosecution presented compelling evidence showing that in 2008, Mr. Asberry Jr. approached a teenager as she was getting in her car on Alston Way near Berkeley High School. The evidence also showed that Mr. Asberry Jr. used a gun to force the victim to drive to a dead-end street where the sexual assault occurred and then further forced the victim to use her ATM card to withdraw $200 from her bank account.
In the 2015 incident, Mr. Asberry walked into the home of the victim, who had just finished unloading her car from a shopping trip. A short, violent struggle ensued as the victim fought off the attack, prompting Mr. Asberry to run out the front door.
The jury found Mr. Asberry guilty of kidnapping to commit sex crime with true findings of an allegation of use of a firearm, kidnapping to commit robbery with true findings of an allegation of use of a firearm, forcible penetration with findings of allegations of use of a firearm, aggravated kidnapping, and tying and binding, forcible oral copulation with true findings of allegations of use of a firearm, aggravated kidnapping, and tying and binding, forcible rape with true findings of allegations of use of a firearm and aggravated kidnapping, all felonies. Mr. Asberry was also found guilty of first-degree burglary with a true allegation of a person being present and misdemeanor assault.
“Today’s sentencing is a testament to our commitment to seeking justice for victims of sexual violence,” said DA Price. “Keith Asberry’s actions were vile, and this sentence reflects the severity of the crime and its impact on the victim. I commend the work of the prosecutorial team, the inspector assigned to the case, and the victim-witness advocates for the services and support provided to the victims.”
Judge Reardon imposed the maximum sentence allowed under the law for these convicted charges, which is 75 years to life plus 36 years.
Contact: damedia@acgov.org
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office (DAO) is one of California’s largest prosecutors’ offices and is led by Alameda County’s first Black woman District Attorney Pamela Y. Price. Price brings her vision to this office to fairly administer justice in the pursuit of thriving, healthy, and safe communities for every person who steps foot in Alameda County, no matter their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, income, or zip code. Price has been recognized as one of the most progressive prosecutors through her forward-thinking, innovative strategies to interrupt cycles of violence and crime and bring change to a criminal justice system rooted in systemic racism. Follow Madam DA on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and @AlamedaCountyda on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.