By Redaccion
[email protected]
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Omar Cruz-Hernandez (DOB 07/02/85), of Oxnard, was convicted by a jury on August 2, 2024, of seven felony counts of child sexual abuse.
The convictions included felony counts of forcible rape, engaging in sexual intercourse with a child under ten, committing lewd and lascivious acts upon a child, and continuous sexual abuse of a child. The jury also found true the allegation that Cruz-Hernandez sexually assaulted multiple victims.
On June 23, 2023, detectives responded to a report of child sexual abuse. One victim reported that she had been the victim of child sexual abuse at the hands of the defendant since she was ten years old. Another victim later disclosed that she had been a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of the defendant since she was seven years old. Cruz-Hernandez gained access to the victims through a familial relationship.
Deputy District Attorney Michael Kern, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Sexual Assault Unit, prosecuted the case.
“I am grateful to the Oxnard Police Department for their quick response and thorough investigation in this case,” Mr. Kern said. “I am also thankful to the jurors in this case who listened to sensitive and difficult testimony and rendered a just verdict. While this conviction cannot undo the damage the defendant inflicted upon these innocent victims, it will go a long way in their healing process, knowing that their abuser has been held accountable for the crimes he committed against them.”
Cruz-Hernandez is scheduled to be sentenced on August 28, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 25 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He faces a potential sentence of 150 years and 8 months to life in prison. He remains in custody without bail.
Case: 2023016056
Defendant Information:
Omar Cruz-Hernandez (DOB 07/02/1985)
Oxnard
Charges pled guilty to:
PC 288.7 – Engaging in sexual intercourse or sodomy with child 10 years of age or younger
PC 288.5 – Continuous sexual abuse
PC 261(a)(2) – Rape by force, fear, or threats
PC 288(c) – Lewd or lascivious act: child 14 or 15 years
(3 counts) PC 288(a) – Lewd or lascivious act: child under 14 years
