Man who kidnapped, tortured sex worker sentenced to 95 years

A judge yesterday sentenced Cristobal Cardenas, 45, to 95 years in prison for kidnapping and repeatedly sexually assaulting a woman.

A jury in August found Cardenas guilty of three counts of sexual assault and one count of kidnapping, Class 2 felonies. Pinal County Superior Court Judge Jason Holmberg imposed the sentence.

In December 2021, Cardenas picked up a sex worker near 27th Avenue and Van Buren Street in Phoenix. After having consensual sex, he drove the victim around, strangled her and engaged in sexual conduct without her consent.

Cardenas then took the victim to a home in Maricopa, where he restrained her and again sexually assaulted her. At some point, Cardenas left the room and the victim was able to break free from the zip tie restraints and run to a nearby house to seek help.

Maricopa Police Department responded to the scene and took Cardenas into custody.

“It is hard to comprehend the brutality the victim had to endure,” said County Attorney Kent Volkmer. “Fortunately, after a trial on the merits the Defendant was convicted, held accountable, and will now spend the rest of his life behind bars.”

The victim testified at trial and a medical examination conducted during the investigation revealed injuries consistent with her accounting of what occurred.

MPD investigated the case.

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