Former Seal Beach Chef Sentenced In Drugging, Rape

SEAL BEACH, CA — A former chef at a Seal Beach restaurant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison for drugging a female patron's drink, rendering her unconscious and raping her. He began serving his time immediately, according to court records.

Darryl Lee Matanane, 58, pleaded guilty to one felony count of rape by use of drugs.

The woman was out with friends at the Seal Beach Bistro St. Germaine restaurant on Feb. 13, 2018, according to the original reports. The then-chef Matanane served her an alcoholic drink that was "spiked," according to Seal Beach Police Department Sgt. Michael Henderson.

The next thing she knew, she awoke in a strange apartment. Fearing that she had been raped after being drugged, she called the police.

"The victim does not remember how she got into the apartment," Seal Beach Police Department Sgt. Michael Henderson said. "During the course of the investigation, detectives identified Matanane as the suspect."

Like many residents of Seal Beach, the victim was on active duty in the military at the time of the rape, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. Though the OCDA's office did not file charges in what was first classified as a possible "date rape," charges were filed one year later, when he was arrested.

As part of the plea deal, charges of rape of an unconscious person, sodomizing an unconscious person, sodomy by anesthesia or controlled substance, sexual penetration of an unconscious victim, and sexual penetration by use of an intoxicating substance used on a victim, all felonies, were dismissed.

Matanane has been in custody since Sept. 13, 2019. It was not immediately clear if part of his sentence is time already served.