American Canyon Man Convicted Of Molesting Young Boy

NAPA COUNTY, CA -- A Napa County jury has convicted an American Canyon man of committing lewd and lascivious acts during the continuous sexual abuse of a young boy, Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley said Tuesday. The jury deliberated a few hours before it returned its verdict Friday in Napa County Superior Court, Assistant District Attorney Paul Gero said.

Jimmie Leonne Mallette, 68, was a friend of the victim's great grandmother, and the offenses occurred when the boy was between 5 and 7 years old, Assistant District Attorney Paul Gero said. The boy and a prior victim testified against Mallette during the one-week trial, Haley said.

"Each of Mr. Mallette's victims were extremely brave by confronting their molester during this trial. As a result of their courage, the jury was able to reach a quick decision and find the defendant guilty of all charges in this case," the prosecutor, Deputy District Attorney Kecia Lind said.

Mallette testified the children initiated the sexual contact, Haley said. He was convicted of three counts of oral copulation with a child under 10 years old, two counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 and one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14.

Mallette is in the Napa County Jail under $500,000 bail, and he faces 49 years to life in prison when he is sentenced Aug. 22.

By Bay City News Service

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