By Redaccion
redaccion@latinocc.com
A Calabasas man convicted of molesting two children over a decade was sentenced Friday to 63 years to life in state prison, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced.
Micah Lanere Smith, 47, was found guilty by a jury on Jan. 24 of five felony charges, including two counts of lewd acts upon a child, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and two counts of sexual penetration by force or fear. The jury also upheld special allegations that Smith targeted multiple victims and abused his position of trust.
“The victims endured years of abuse at the hands of someone who was supposed to protect them,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Edward “Ted” Andrews, who prosecuted the case. “The jury recognized their suffering and held the defendant accountable. I hope this sentence provides the victims with a sense of justice and allows them to begin healing.”
A Pattern of Abuse Spanning More Than a Decade
According to court records, Smith repeatedly abused two children in his household between 2006 and 2017. The victims were just six and nine years old when the abuse began, taking place at homes in Oxnard and Thousand Oaks.
The case came to light in early 2019 when Smith was involved in a domestic violence incident in Los Angeles County. This led authorities to uncover years of sexual abuse, triggering an extensive investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
A Courageous Fight for Justice
During the trial, both victims provided emotional testimony detailing the years of abuse they suffered. Prosecutors argued that Smith manipulated and intimidated the victims to ensure their silence.
“The bravery of these victims in coming forward and testifying was extraordinary,” Andrews said. “Their courage made this conviction possible, ensuring that Smith will never be able to harm another child again.”
Following the jury’s guilty verdict, Judge David Hirsch handed down the life sentence, citing the severity of the crimes and the lasting impact on the victims.
Smith, who declined to make a statement before sentencing, will serve his sentence without the possibility of parole.
