In Sacramento, it is reported that a 54 year old man by the name of Edwin Lionel Chartier has been sentenced with 16 years of prison time.  At this time, Chartier is serving the first weekend of his sentence after being convicted for molesting three young girls.

In May, Chartier pled guilty to three counts of child molestation.  It is reported that he had inappropriate sexual contact with three girls below the age of 14.  The molestations occurred between 2006 and 2009.

During Chartier's sentencing hearing on Wednesday, his victims tearfully addressed the court.  One of the girls spoke directly to the judge and said that she hoped Chartier would never get out of prison.  Aside from having to serve time in prison, Chartier will have to register as a convicted sex offender in California.

If you have been charged with a sexual offense involving a child, it is important that you retain representation from a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer.  Contact Okabe & Haushalter immediately to receive the representation you deserve.

In Los Angeles, news sources report that a man from El Monte who had applied for a position with the California Highway Patrol has pled guilty to child pornography charges.  The man, 30 year old Christian Client Hernandez, stated on his CHP employment application that he had viewed child pornography.

Hernandez entered his plea with the federal court on Thursday.  He is currently facing up to 30 years of prison and is expected to receive sentencing on November 1, 2010.

In October 2008, Hernandez applied with the CHP to become an officer.  After viewing his application, the FBI inspected his computer and found child pornography, including explicit images of a 5 year old girl.  When entering his plea, Hernandez said that he took the illicit photos of the young girl, who was sexually abused. 

Hernandez is also facing charges of molestation.

If you have been charged with sex crimes, contact Okabe & Haushalter to arrange to speak with a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer.

A man suspected of molesting at least four young girls in the Westlake area was recently caught and arrested.

For more than two years police have been searching for Daniel Merino, 41. Merino was accused of approaching at least four girls, each around the age of 9 or 10, and then sexually assaulting them. According to police, all four girls were walking alone when Merino approached them. After starting up a conversation Merino would then try to lure the girls into a car or building or would sexually assault them as they were walking.

Police were able to track down Merino after video surveillance caught him trying to leave a building after attempting to molest a victim. The image was circulated and, using a high-tech license plate scanner, police were able to track Merino’s location.

Merino was arrested and charged with kidnapping for sexual assault. He is being held on $4 million bail. If he is convicted of the charges he could be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, as well as be ordered to register as a sex offender, probably for the rest of his life.