Los Angeles County Sheriffs arrested a 19-year-old Santa Clarita Valley man on charges of sexually assaulting 14 girls between the ages of 12 and 16 years old. Law enforcement is currently investigating the case and believes there may be other victims, according to The Los Angeles Times.
Currently, the man faces 29 counts of sexual assault as is and is being held on $1.8 million bail while awaiting a court appearance on January 11 for continued arraignment. Investigation of the man began when a female minor reported being sexually assaulted by the man earlier in December, and as the Sheriff's Department's Special Victims Bureau looked into the matter, officials found an additional 13 female victims. Allegedly, the man would meet his victims at various social events, public places, and through Facebook, claiming to be 16-years-old and knowing other teenagers by being friends with them on Facebook.
Sexual assault crimes in California can cover a wide variety of criminal acts which are punishable under California law. According to California Penal Code Section 234.4 (a), "Any person who touches an intimate part of another person while that person is unlawfully restrained by the accused or an accomplice, and if the touching is against the will of the person touched and is for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse, is guilty of sexual battery."
Depending on the circumstances of the crime, a defendant can be punished by a maximum one year county jail imprisonment and a $2,000 fine, or by two, three, or four years in state prison and a maximum $10,000 fine. Various other circumstances, such as the nature of the sexual acts and age of the victim, can add to a person’s penalties and result in heavier fines and additional prison time.
All sexual assault crimes can be penalized by heavy fines and imprisonment in California, making it necessary for defendants to seek experienced legal counsel. The Santa Clarita sexual assault defense attorneys at The Law Offices of Daniel Kann are here to defend you against serious punishments if you have been accused of such a crime in Southern California. Call us today for a consultation on your case by dialing (661) 450-9678.
Sources: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/12/man-arrested-sex-assault-14-girls-facebook.html; http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=pen&group=00001-01000&file=240-248; http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=pen&group=00001-01000&file=261-269
