Southern California child molester sentenced to 325 years in prison

A Southern California man was sentenced to 325 years in prison for repeatedly molesting young children.

Jesus Andrew Sapien, 44, of Port Hueneme was sentenced Tuesday for sexually abusing three children, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

In May 2020, the mother of a 6-year-old girl reported the molestation to detectives with the Port Hueneme Police Department.

The young victim told her mother that Sapien had molested her several times over many months, authorities said.

As the case was being investigated, two additional children came forward as victims of repeated sexual abuse by Sapien.

Police said Sapien was exposed to the victimized children through a familial relationship.

“The defendant betrayed the trust of a close-knit family to commit unspeakable acts of sexual
abuse against multiple children,” said Benjamin Moreno, a Ventura County District Attorney who prosecuted the case. “Today’s sentence reflects the severity of those crimes.”

On Aug. 12, Sapien was convicted by a jury of 13 felony counts of lewd acts upon a child.

Special allegations also found true included that the three victims were under the age of 14, that they were vulnerable, that Sapien engaged in substantial sexual conduct, and that he took advantage of a position of trust.

On Sept. 10, he was sentenced to 325 years to life in state prison.

“While nothing can undo the harm the defendant has caused, I hope this sentence provides the victims and their families the closure they so profoundly deserve and ensures that the defendant will never again harm a child,” said Moreno.

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