GREENFIELD — A Monterey County judge sentenced Juan Jimenez-Ramirez of Greenfield to six years in prison on Aug. 22 for one count of committing a lewd act upon a child under age 14.
Jimenez-Ramirez, 29, will also be required to register as a sex offender for at least 20 years.
According to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, Jane Doe reported that Jimenez-Ramirez, a family member, molested her on one occasion when she was under the age of 14 years old.
“(Jimenez-Ramirez) drove her to a local Walmart, away from the rest of her family, and sexually assaulted her,” stated the DA’s Office. “Jane Doe was afraid to report what (he) had done to her because (he) was an authority figure in her life, and she did not think that she would be believed.”
According to research into sexual assault victim behavior, the DA’s Office stated it is very common for victims to delay reporting sexual abuse, especially when the victim is a minor and has a close relationship with the perpetrator.