SOLEDAD — Soledad resident Giovanni Lopez Orozco, 25, was sentenced on June 24 to six years in prison for committing one count of lewd act upon a child under 14 years.
“This offense is a serious and violent felony and is considered a strike under California’s Three Strikes law,” according to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office in a news release.
In addition to his prison sentence, Orozco will also be required to register as a sex offender for at least 20 years.
Jane Doe reported that Orozco, a family member, had molested her on three occasions over her clothes when she was under 14 years of age. Doe delayed reporting the crimes to police because “she had a close relationship with Orozco and was afraid that she would not be believed,” stated the DA’s Office.
“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 added.
