DA: 60-year-old Visalia man guilty of child molestation

VISALIA, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – A 60-year-old man from Visalia was found guilty of child molestation, the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office said on Wednesday.

According to the DA’s office, prosecutors secured a conviction against 60-year-old Jerome Avilez for child molestation. He was found guilty on nine felony counts of lewd act upon a child under the age of 14.

The DA says the jury also found true that Avilez committed the crimes against multiple victims and that some of the acts constituted substantial sexual conduct. According to the DA, the crimes were committed against three female minors between 2021 and 2022.

The court found that Avilez had a prior conviction for a forcible lewd act upon a child from 1988, according to the DA.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 14. Avilez faces up to life in state prison. The DA’s office adds that, as a result of the conviction, Avilez will be required to register as a sex offender.

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