GREENFIELD — Greenfield resident Juan Hernandez Velasco was sentenced on June 7 to 42 years in prison for committing three counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child under 14 years old and two counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14 years old.
All the offenses are violent felonies and considered “strikes” under California’s Three Strikes law. Velasco, 39, will also be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Jane Doe reported that Velasco, a family member, had molested her on many occasions for several years, beginning when she was around 6 years old.
“Velasco would molest Jane Doe while her parents were at work,” according to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office in a news release.
The molestations continued for several years until Jane Doe reported to her school counselor that Velasco had been sexually assaulting her.
“According to research into sexual assault victim behavior, it is very common for victims to delay reporting the sexual abuse, especially when the victim is a minor and has a close relationship with the perpetrator,” the DA’s Office stated.
