A former community activist is set to spend the next 30 years in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting two women he lured into his car in Clarendon.
Julio Basurto, who was convicted of two counts of abduction with intent to defile plus two other sexual offenses, was sentenced Friday to 140 years in prison, though all but 30 years of his sentence are suspended.
Basurto would face the additional 110 years if he were to violate the terms of his probation after being released from custody in 2055.
The 43-year-old was arrested in June 2023 and convicted in January 2024 for his role in two incidents where he offered women rides and sexually assaulted them in his vehicle.
According to court records, Basurto forced a woman to perform sexual acts on him during a 2023 incident after he picked her up in front of a bar on the 3100 block of Clarendon Blvd.
While investigating that incident, police located video footage on Basurto’s phone showing him sexually assaulting another woman, which connected Basurto to a previously reported 2021 incident.
Basurto was not working as a rideshare driver during either incident.
During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Basurto — wearing a green jumpsuit and ankle shackles — showed little reaction as the victim in the 2023 incident described how she “carried the weight of Julio Basurto’s choices.”
“The moments where I truly find peace are moments like this, where Mr. Basurto is caught,” the woman said.
Before Basurto’s June 2023 arrest, he had been outspoken on a variety of local issues. A video of him receiving an award on behalf of his advocacy for improved conditions in affordable apartment complexes was played in court prior to his sentencing.
Prior to his arrest, Basurto was frequently quoted by local news outlets as a community activist, often going by his church title, “Elder Julio Basurto.”
He also previously worked as an interpreter, including for Arlington Public Schools, according to his LinkedIn profile. He served on an APS advisory committee, received an award from a prominent local nonprofit for his tenant advocacy, and was highlighted by a County Board member on his website’s endorsements page.
Basurto will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release.
