Ventura transient sentenced to 62 years to life for child sexual abuse and rape

VENTURA, California — A Ventura transient has been sentenced to 62 years to life in state prison for the sexual abuse and rape of a child, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.Jameson Paul Johnson, a 41-year-old transient from Ventura, was sentenced on August 12, 2024, after being convicted by a jury on March 1, 2024, of 13 felony counts. These counts included six counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child, six counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, and one count of forcible rape. The jury and judge also found true special allegations and enhancements connected to various counts, including allegations that the crimes involved great violence, the victim was particularly vulnerable, and Johnson engaged in substantial sexual conduct with the victim.Supervising Deputy District Attorney Rafael Orellana, of the Ventura County District Attorney's Office General Trials Unit, prosecuted the case. "The defendant's crimes in this case were unusually violent and brutal," Orellana said. "The lengthy prison sentence imposed will help ensure the safety of the victim and community, and appropriately reflects the horrific and sadistic crimes which the defendant perpetrated against the child victim. I am grateful to the jury and judge for their roles in securing justice for the victim."Johnson met the victim around 2005 when she was 10 years old. Both were transient and living in Ventura. The sexual abuse started when the victim was 11 years old and continued until she was 15 years old. The abuse stopped when Johnson was arrested for criminal threats made against the victim and her mother. The victim reported the sexual abuse in 2016 when Johnson sent her threatening letters from prison. At that time, the Ventura Police Department initiated an investigation that resulted in Johnson's arrest for the charged offenses in 2018.In addition to his prison sentence, Johnson is required to register as a sex offender.