Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Child Molest Conviction

Defendant Arturo Blancas-Lopez, 51 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced today by the Honorable Robert Laforge to sixteen years in state prison after having pled no contest in November of last year to two felony charges of Forcible Lewd Acts with a Minor Under the Age of Fourteen.

District Attorney Jill Ravitch stated, “This defendant preyed on someone who trusted him and sought his help. We commend this young victim for showing strength during an incredibly difficult time. With her help this defendant was found responsible for his behavior and will be prevented from victimizing anyone for a very long period of time.”

The charges resulted from an incident that occurred in May, 2018 when the 13-year-old victim asked for assistance from her uncle, the defendant, to fix a generator. The defendant lived on the same property, but at a different location. The victim explained to detectives that the generator powered the trailer she was living in with her mother and grandfather, and without it she was unable to do her homework. While the defendant was at the trailer the victim’s mother arrived home from work and encountered him leaving the trailer. The victim’s mom sensed that something was wrong and asked her daughter what had occurred.

The victim disclosed to her mother that the defendant had touched her inappropriately. The victim’s mother took her to the hospital where Sonoma County Sheriff Deputies were called and the investigation ensued.

Lopez pled to two strike offenses and as a result of this conviction, will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Javier Vaca. Sergeant Brian Parks of the Sonoma County Sheriff Department headed the investigation.