A Chelsea man was sentenced to three years in state prison and will be deported upon his release after pleading guilty to raping a woman who worked as a prostitute, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

“No matter who they may be, no matter their station in life, we’re committed to finding justice for the victims of sexual violence,” Conley said. “From the moment this crime was first reported, Chelsea Police and Suffolk prosecutors worked toward a resolution that would protect the victim’s dignity and hold her assailant accountable.”

SEFERINO VEGA (D.O.B. 6/16/82) pleaded guilty yesterday to the June 27, 2008, incident, which took place after he offered to pay her $50 for sex at his Fremont Street apartment. Once inside the apartment, Vega revealed that he did not have the money and the victim tried to leave.

Vega then struck the 31-year-old victim with a rock and locked the door shut to prevent her from escaping. He then raped her and told her that if she contacted police he would have her killed.

After the attack, Vega invited the victim to Revere Beach. When they left the residence she ran away from him.

As the woman fled, she noted the man’s address and later provided it to Chelsea Police. The woman also provided investigators with a description of the assailant and the room in which the attack took place.

Chelsea Police responded to the address and spoke with residents who recognized the description of a man they knew only as “Vega.” Vega, they said, rented a room that matched the victim’s description. A Chelsea Police officer assigned to stand watch for him soon reported that the suspect was in the building and detectives responded to perform identification procedures before the victim.

One of the apartment’s residents was brought out for the victim to view. She stated that he was not her attacker. Vega was brought out, provoking an emotional reaction in the victim. She positively identified him as the man who held her against her will and attacked her. Chelsea Police arrested him on the spot.

Vega will be deported to Mexico upon his release from prison. He was represented by attorney Earl Howard.