Man Sentenced To 43 Years For Molesting Relative: Napa County DA

NAPA COUNTY, CA — A Napa man was sentenced Tuesday to 43 years in California state prison for molesting a family member.

Jesus Alfredo Cruz, 44, was sentenced Tuesday to 43 years in California state prison by the Napa Superior Court Judge Scott Young. Cruz must also register as a sex offender.

Cruz pleaded no contest Aug. 18 to one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child younger than 14, one count of forcible sodomy of a child younger than 14, and two counts of forcible lewd and lascivious conduct with a child younger than 14.

According to the Napa County District Attorney’s Office, Cruz sexually abused a child family member between 2008 and 2015 in Napa County, when the child was 5 years old until she was 11 years old.

Substantial charges were brought against Cruz in September 2019 after the victim reported the abuse to a staff member at school, prompting a police investigation.

"Without the bravery and courage of the survivor to come forward we may have never known about this abuse," said Deputy District Attorney Kristen Orlando, who prosecuted the case. “The survivor felt safe enough to disclose to someone at school, which is exactly what we want to see. The plea is the right result and I am hopeful that the survivor will gain closure and continue to move forward with her life."

Napa Police Department Detective Garrett Smith led the investigation against Cruz. Sexual Assault Victim Services provided advocacy for the survivor.

The District Attorney’s Office noted that children who are sexually abused disclose to people they trust, who support them, and seem likely to be able to help them out of the situation.

"If a child discloses to you, please do not ask the child a lot of questions about their experience and avoid casting judgment on the nature of the acts or the identity of the offender,” the DA’s Office said. "Thank the child for their trust and assure them that you will act responsibly with their disclosure. Be encouraging and contact a law enforcement professional. You may save a life."