‘Spiritual healer’ gets 9 years for rape

DOWNEY – A “spiritual healer” convicted of raping a woman inside his makeshift Downey office was sentenced to nine years in prison Wednesday. Jose Romulo Felix, 42, pleaded no contest July 1 to two felony counts of rape and sexual battery by fraud.

Prosecutors said Felix advertised in Spanish newspapers that he was a “spiritual healer” who could solve love issues for women.

On Jan. 15, 2013, a woman visited Felix at his Downey office and was sexually assaulted, authorities said.

The victim tried to fight back, but Felix forced himself on her, prosecutors said.

The woman reported the attack, triggering an investigation by the Downey Police Department.  Felix was arrested less than a month later.

In addition to the prison sentence, Felix was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

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Published: July 31, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 16