Salinas Child Molestation Case: Gilroy Man Gets 11 Years

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA — A Gilroy man convicted of child molestation in Monterey County was sentenced to 11 years in state prison, Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced in a news release Tuesday.

Tobias Ruiz Jimenez, 37, of Gilroy, pled guilty on June 9 to committing an assault with the intent to commit a sexual offense on a 13-year-old Jane Doe 1, and to committing a lewd or lascivious act on a Jane Doe 2 when she was between 10-and 11-years-old, Pacioni said.

Both offenses are violent felonies and are considered “strikes” under California’s Three Strikes law.

In July 2019, Jane Doe 1 reported that when she was 13 years old, Ruiz Jimenez attempted to lift her shirt on one occasion and he inappropriately touched her over her clothes on another occasion, Pacioni said.

Jane Doe 2 reported that, Ruiz Jimenez inappropriately touched her two times over her clothes and two times under her clothes, Pacioni said.

Ruiz Jimenez committed these offenses when no other adults were around, Pacioni said.

The two victims wrote statements describing how Ruiz Jimenez’s conduct has had a long-term impact on them.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Mark E. Hood noted that Ruiz Jimenez’s crimes are egregious and stated that he has confidence that the victims will work through the healing process and move forward with their lives.

In addition to the prison sentence, Ruiz Jimenez is required to register as a sex offender for life. A restraining order was granted prohibiting Ruiz Jimenez from contacting both victims for a period of ten years, the maximum term under the law.

The case was investigated by Sergeant Gabriel Gonzalez and numerous other officers from the Salinas Police Department. The victims were assisted by District Attorney Victim Advocate Sonia Buenrostro.