Former church volunteer sentenced to 138 years for sexually assaulting girls in Orange County.
Santa Ana – In a significant legal outcome, a 61-year-old man has been sentenced to 138 years to life in prison for sexually assaulting five young girls, a case that has garnered serious attention due to the defendant’s connection as a volunteer at a local church. Jesus Heras Garcia, who served as a volunteer at the Casa de Vida Church in Corona, built rapport with the victims’ families, which ultimately facilitated his predatory behavior, according to law enforcement officials.
The conclusion of this case follows a conviction on November 13, 2024, where Garcia faced multiple charges. He was found guilty of 12 counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor, one additional count involving a child aged 10 or younger, two counts of lewd or lascivious acts with minors younger than 14, and one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child. All these charges are considered felonies under California law, reflecting the gravity of his actions.
The offenses linked to Garcia date back to 1986, highlighting a prolonged history of abuse that went unreported for several years. The investigation revealed that three sisters came forward in December 2018, all in their late teens and mid-20s, disclosing that they had been molested by Garcia, whom they had initially met through church activities. This revelation triggered further inquiries that unearthed additional victims.
Furthermore, case records indicate that in 2010, a 16-year-old girl reported to the Placentia Police Department that she had been molested by Garcia during her youth. In 2018, another woman, now 21, reported being sexually assaulted repeatedly at Garcia’s Riverside residence when she was just seven years old.
The case reflects a broader concern regarding the safety of minors in environments that are supposed to be nurturing and supportive. Church settings, in particular, rely heavily on volunteerism, making it imperative to maintain rigorous screening processes for individuals who work closely with children.
As the legal proceedings conclude, the community is left grappling with the implications of such heinous acts committed by someone entrusted with the care and upbringing of its youth. The sentencing serves as a grim reminder of the need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable populations from predatory individuals.
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