A tattoo artist from Kennewick is facing significant prison time after admitting to sexually assaulting a woman he had lured to his home with the offer of a free tattoo. Jose Chamorro Castillo, 43, pleaded guilty to third-degree assault with sexual motivation on Thursday in Benton County Superior Court.
The charges stem from an incident in September 2022, when Chamorro Castillo invited the woman to his Richland home, promising a free tattoo in exchange for photos to add to his portfolio. Once there, he forcibly led her into his bedroom and assaulted her. Initially charged with two counts of second-degree rape, he ultimately pleaded guilty to the lesser charge. Prosecutors have indicated they will request the maximum sentence, which could range from one year and one month to one year and three months in prison. In addition to the prison term, Chamorro Castillo will be required to register as a sex offender.
The state Department of Corrections will conduct an investigation before his sentencing.
Chamorro Castillo, known as the owner of The Badder Ink, a tattoo and piercing business with locations in Kennewick, Oregon, and New York, had previously made headlines for being one of six defendants released from Benton County jail due to a lack of assigned legal representation. His arrest occurred in April, and despite appearing in court in May, he remained without a lawyer, causing delays in his case. In June, an arrest warrant was issued for Chamorro Castillo after he failed to appear for a scheduled hearing. He was apprehended two months later.
The assault victim had initially contacted Chamorro Castillo for a birthday tattoo. During their conversation, he invited her to celebrate with champagne at his shop, then suggested they meet at his home to discuss the tattoo further. On their way there, he stopped to purchase a bottle of wine and a rose for her. The woman felt uneasy but felt obligated to comply due to the free tattoo offer.
At his home, Chamorro Castillo gave her wine and insisted she drink a shot of tequila. Despite attempts to leave, the victim was forced into the bedroom, where she was assaulted. Following the attack, she went to a hospital, where DNA collected from the scene was found to be a near match to Chamorro Castillo.
Further investigation by Richland police revealed previous reports from women who claimed Chamorro Castillo had made unwanted sexual advances after offering them free tattoos. Although no charges were filed in those instances, the case prompted renewed attention to warnings about Chamorro Castillo’s behavior. A 2019 Facebook post had alerted women to his aggressive actions, with multiple individuals sharing similar concerns about his conduct.
Chamorro Castillo’s sentencing will follow the investigation by the Department of Corrections.
Related topics: