Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Trial Underway For Undocumented Immigrant Accused of Tickling, Fondling Women and Girls While They Slept
Opening arguments were heard today in the trial of a 49-year-old undocumented immigrant accused of fondling and tickling girls and women while they were sleeping. Roberto Jacobo Reyes allegedly "tickled a 7-year-old, touched a 22-year-old's foot, rubbed a 19-year-old's thighs, stroked the side of a 13-year-old and groped the vagina and breasts of an 11-year-old," explains the OC Weekly.
Reyes was arrested in May 2010 when he was linked by DNA to the assault of a 11-year-old girl that had taken place in February of that year. Reyes allegedly crept into the child's after removing the screen on the window, then fondled her while she slept.
During his interview with authorities "Reyes confessed that he had fondled four or five other girls while they slept," according to the OC Register.
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. The Orange County District Attorney's office explains: "Reyes is accused of waking the victim by tickling her and tugging on her blanket. [The victim] began to scream and kick the defendant, who is accused of fleeing from the home back through the open window."
Support for LAist comes from
The OCDA details the specific charges Reyes, who is in the country illegally, faces:
[Reyes] is charged with one felony count of forcible lewd act on a child under 14, two felony counts of lewd act upon child under 14, and three felony counts of first degree residential burglary with sentencing enhancement allegations for committing lewd acts in the commission of residential burglaries, committing lewd acts on multiple victims, and for having a non-accomplice present during a residential burglary. The defendant also faces an enhancement for a 2003 prior strike for residential burglary.
Reyes re-entered the U.S. illegally after being deported for a molestation conviction in 2003, reports City News Service.
If convicted on all charges, Reyes faces a maximum sentence of 194 years to life in state prison.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility. -
UCLA and University of California leaders are fighting Trump’s demands for a $1.2 billion settlement over a litany of accusations, including that the campus permits antisemitism. -
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research.
Best of LAist