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An undocumented immigrant who broke into five homes and fondled girls and women while they slept has been convicted of his crimes. Roberto Jacobo Reyes, 49, was found guilty of one count of forcible lewd act on a child younger than 14, two felony counts of lewd acts on a child younger than 14 and three felony counts of first-degree residential burglary, according to City News Service. Additionally, jurors found true sentencing enhancement allegations for committing lewd acts during a residential burglary and a 2003 prior strike for residential burglary.
The five incidents for which Reyes is on trial began in early 2009, when he allegedly broke into a home through a rear window and entered the room where a 7-year-old girl was sleeping with siblings and tickled her in her bed. Ensuing incidents included Reyes sneaking into homes to touch a 22-year-old woman in her sleep, rub a 19-year-old woman's thighs, fondle a 13-year-old girl, and grope the genitals and breasts of an 11-year-old girl.
Reyes re-entered the U.S. illegally after being deported for a molestation conviction in 2003 for which he served four years in prison.
Dolores Yost of the Orange County Public Defender's Office said her client did not commit the crimes for sexual gratification, however Deputy District Attorney Robert Mestman declared today after the verdicts came down: "A serial child molester is off the streets. That's always a good thing."
Reyes, whose son died of cancer while he was in custody, faces up to 194 years to life in prison. Through a translator, Reyes remarked today "I'd rather die than be stuck in jail for 25 years."
Sentencing is scheduled for January 25.
