GREENFIELD — Monterey County District Attorney’s Office announced Feb. 21 that Greenfield resident Gustavo Espinoza Villalobos, 33, has been sentenced to 25-years-to-life in state prison by Superior Court Judge Mark Hood.
On Dec. 13, 2024, a jury found Villalobos guilty of three counts of lewd or lascivious acts on a child under the age of 14 and one count of annoy or molest a child under the age of 18. The jury also found true the multiple victim enhancement for each count.
All three offenses are serious and violent felonies and are considered strikes under California’s Three Strikes Law. Villalobos was also ordered to register as a sex offender.
In December 2018, Detective Joseph Dyles of the Greenfield Police Department spoke with John Doe 1. John Doe 1 disclosed to Dyles that Villalobos molested him when he was 10 years old. Villalobos lived next door to John Doe 1 in Greenfield at the time of the molestation.
Further investigation revealed that John Does 2, 3 and 4, who were members of Villalobos’ family, were also molested by him. These molestations occurred when John Doe 2 was 12 years old, John Doe 3 was 9 years old and John Doe 4 was 11 or 12 years old. All four victims delayed reporting the incidents for years.
“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,” stated the DA’s Office in a news release.
Shortly after these accusations came to light, Villalobos fled the county to Mexico. He was apprehended in 2023 at the border and extradited to Monterey County to face prosecution for his crimes against John Does 1, 2, 3 and 4.
This case was investigated by Dyles and King City Police Sgt. Joshue Partida. Monterey County District Attorney Investigator Rebecca Ayala conducted follow-up investigation on the case. John Does 1, 2, 3 and 4 were assisted by the DA’s Office Victim Witness Assistance Program Manager Alma Sanchez.
“Court Facility Support Dog, Norma Jeane, provided John Doe 1 with much-needed support after his testimony at trial,” stated the DA’s Office.
Thank you for this article. Justice will be done. Thank you to all involved in this case, even the dog, Norma Jean. Molestation is such a taboo subject in our community. Bless all of you who are helping protect all of our young people in our communities.