A Salinas, California man, Gabriel Porfirio Lopez, 42, has been found guilty of multiple child sexual assault charges and is now facing a potential prison sentence of 165 years, according to Monterey County prosecutors. Lopez was convicted of three counts of oral copulation with a child under 10 years, one count of sexual penetration with a child under 10 years, eight counts of forcible lewd act on a child under 14 years, one count of lewd act on a child under 14 years, and one count of forcible rape of a child under 14 years.
The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office stated that Lopez also received a multiple victim enhancement for committing child molestation upon more than one victim. The sexual abuse occurred when Lopez was responsible for the care and custody of his two young relatives, who were under 10 years old at the time, while their mother was working. Lopez would often instruct the victims to remain silent after the abuse.
Both victims did not disclose the abuse until many years later. All 14 counts against Lopez are considered “strikes” under California’s Three Strikes law, as they are violent felonies. Lopez is scheduled to be sentenced on November 7. In addition to the prison term, he will be required to register as a sex offender for life.
