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September 02, 2004
Watsonville man gets 20 years for molesting two girls
September 2, 2004 -- By Cathy Redfern -- Sentinel staff writer -- SantaCruzSentinel.com
SANTA CRUZ — A 56-year-old Watsonville man was sentenced to 20 years in prison Wednesday for molesting two young girls.
Francisco Sanchez had faced life in prison, but negotiated the 20-year sentence in exchange for pleading guilty and sparing his victims, whom he knew, the need to testify at a trial.
A composed Sanchez told Judge John Salazar he was sorry for his actions. And although he appeared resigned to the sentence, he also asked for another chance to have a life with his wife and children.
"I don’t understand myself why I did it," he said. "I was raised to respect myself and others. I don’t know. I’ve studied the Bible a lot and I’ve seen a lot of things. I’ve seen Satan and seen that the devil has been twisting people’s minds the wrong way.
"I think that is what happened to me. Now after time here I have had rest and peace and I am at peace with God. I can’t say more. God knows."
Salazar said he appreciated Sanchez’s comments, his remorse and the fact that his admission would save his young victims from testifying. He also said he hoped the victims realize they can’t be faulted for what happened to them.
The judge added that he’s repeatedly amazed how many potential jurors report having been affected by child abuse or molestation during jury selection questioning.
"I see victims in their 60s and 70s who have never told anyone, and who have suffered tremendously for years," Salazar said. "And the perpetrators don’t contemplate the tremendous damage to their victims. That is why the laws are so strict. And even if you didn’t intend to do it, you are still responsible."
He urged Sanchez to improve himself and the community, both inside and outside prison.
"That’s the best you can do," he said.
Sanchez faced more than 12 counts of child abuse, including one for "continuous sexual abuse of a child," meaning abuse of a child under age 14 for more than three months.
Sanchez’s public defender, Mark Garver, said he agreed to 20 years because his client faced a possible life sentence. While admitting the case was "tragic" and "very serious," he said his client had a job and a family to return to and that sending him to prison would be detrimental.
He offered a psychologist’s opinion that Sanchez was not a danger to the community.
"The laws are focused on retribution," he said. "This is a stipulated sentence, but I had to say something. I don’t feel good about it. It has gone beyond protecting the community. It seems to me to be about revenge."
Prosecutor Celia Rowland said the sentence was, in part, a "pragmatic" approach, and that 20 years was significantly less than life in prison.
Posted by Nealus at September 2, 2004 07:00 PM
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