Petaluma Woman Sentenced to 25-Life Term For Sexual Abuse of Daughter

Defendant Tawnya Hopper, 44 years old of Petaluma, was sentenced today to a prison term of 25 years-to-life by the Honorable Jamie Thistlethwaite after having pled no contest in July of last year to a violation of Penal Code section 288.7(a), sexual intercourse by an adult with a child under the age of ten.

District Attorney Ravitch stated, “This was really an atrocious crime.  This defendant engaged in conduct that was totally reprehensible with her own child.  We believe the significant prison sentence is a just outcome for this case.”

The conviction came about as a result of an FBI investigation into a Bay Area child pornography ring that uncovered Hopper’s involvement.  Investigators with the Petaluma Police Department and FBI eventually served a search warrant at Hopper’s residence in Petaluma which resulted in the seizure of child pornography and drug paraphernalia.  Subsequently, Hopper’s nine-year old daughter disclosed to authorities that an adult male sexually abused her several times while her mother was present.  Hopper was arrested and booked on charges related to the sexual abuse of her daughter. Charges related to the defendant’s 20-year old developmentally disabled daughter were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Carla Rodriguez, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Matthew Stapleton.  Officer Tamara Gilman of the Petaluma Police Department headed the investigation.