Lafayette man receives 14-year prison sentence for raping teenage girl

LAFAYETTE, Ind. ― Eric Preston Mendoza learned his fate Friday for breaking into a teenager's room early April 10 and raping the girl .

Tippecanoe Superior 1 Judge Randy Williams sentenced Mendoza, 25, of Lafayette, to spend 14 years in prison followed by one year on probation.

Mendoza, who dropped his wallet at the scene of the crime, was arrested on April 11 in the 4500 block of Nottingham Drive in a neighborhood west of McCutcheon High School. He's been jailed since then.

He pleaded guilty July 1 to rape, a Level 3 felony.

If Mendoza stays out of trouble while in prison, he will be eligible for release in about 10 years.

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However, Mendoza has pending charges accusing him of felony voyeurism and felony obstruction of justice. In that case, Mendoza is accused of using his phone to record a woman preparing to tan at a local gym.

His trial in that case is scheduled to begin on Sept. 25.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Lafayette man receives 14-year prison sentence for raping teenage girl