By Redaccion
[email protected]
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jesus Andrew Sapien (DOB 12/20/79), of Port Hueneme, was sentenced to the maximum possible sentence of 325 years to life in state prison.
Sapien was previously convicted by a jury on August 12, 2024, of 13 felony counts of lewd acts upon a child. The jury also found true all aggravating circumstances and special allegations, including the three victims were under the age of 14, they were vulnerable, that Sapien engaged in substantial sexual conduct, and that he took advantage of a position of trust.
Deputy District Attorney Benjamin Moreno, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, prosecuted the case.
“The defendant betrayed the trust of a close-knit family to commit unspeakable acts of sexual abuse against multiple children,” Mr. Moreno said. “Today’s sentence reflects the severity of those crimes. While nothing can undo the harm the defendant has caused, I hope this sentence provides the victims and their families the closure they so profoundly deserve and ensures that the defendant will never again harm a child.”
In May 2020, the mother of a six-year-old victim reported the molestation to detectives with the Port Hueneme Police Department. The young victim had disclosed to her mother that Sapien had molested her several times over many months. Two additional children came forward disclosing they too had been victims of repeated sexual abuse by Sapien. He gained access to the victims through a familial relationship.
Case: 2020013576
Defendant Information:
Jesus Andrew Sapien (DOB 12/20/79)
Port Hueneme
Charges convicted of:
(13 counts) PC 288(a) – Lewd act upon a child
Special allegations found true:
PC 667.61(e)(4) – Sex crimes aggravated circumstance
PC 667.61(j)(2) – Victim under age 14
PC 1203.066(a)(8) – Substantial sexual conduct
CRC 4.421(a)(11) – The defendant took advantage of a position of trust
CRC 4.421(a)(3) – Victim was vulnerable
