Sacramento County jury convicts man for torture and robbery of his roommate, DA says

A Sacramento County jury convicted a man who beat and choked his roommate before robbing him after his landlord removed his belongings and allowed the victim to move into his room, prosecutors said.

The jury on Oct. 20 found Danyyil Moskvych, 23, guilty of torture, battery causing serious bodily injury and first-degree robbery, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday in a news release. His conviction included an enhancement to his charges for causing great bodily injury during a robbery.

Moskvych and the victim shared a home they rented with their own separate rooms. Moskvych in January went on an extended trip out of the country.

While he was away on the trip, the property landlord removed Moskvych’s belongings from his room. Prosecutors said the landlord told the victim that Moskvych was not returning to the home and he could move into Moskvych’s room.

On Feb. 4, the victim was asleep in his bed in Moskvych’s former room when he awoke to find Moskvych standing over him. Prosecutors said Moskvych accused the victim of taking his belongings.

The victim tried to explain the misunderstanding. Prosecutors said Moskvych then attacked the victim, choking him and punching him 20 to 30 times in the head, face and body.

The victim was about to lose consciousness when Moskvych placed duct tape on the victim’s arms and legs to fasten his limbs, before Moskvych punched the victim in the face five to 10 more times, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors said the victim then offered Moskvych his wallet, hoping to stop the beating. Moskvych took the wallet, forced the victim to reveal his card personal identification numbers, covered his mouth with tape and left the home with other items belonging to the victim, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

The victim was hospitalized after suffering serious injuries in the attack, including numerous fractures to his face.

Moskvych on Monday afternoon remained in custody at the Sacramento County Jail. He is scheduled to return to Sacramento Superior Court on Nov. 19, when he’ll face a maximum sentence of 16 years to life in prison.

Deputy District Attorney Brandon Jack prosecuted the case.