Salinas man sentenced to 257 years to life for molesting two children
SALINAS, Calif. (KION) UPDATE MARCH 30, 2022 at 1:06 p.m.--Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni said a man was sentenced Wednesday for the continued molestation of two victims over several years.
Luis Ceja Nunez, 44, of Salinas has been sentenced to 257 years to life after being found guilty of 19 violent felony counts of child molestation, according to Pacioni.
In addition to prison time, Nunez has to register as a sex offender for life.
Pacioni said in December of 2019, John Doe, age 31, reported that Nunez sexually abused him from when he was 7 or 8 years old until he was around 14 years old.
Nunez kept telling John Doe to not tell anyone he was molesting him.
Jane Doe, John Doe's sister, also reported to law officials that she was sexually assaulted from 5 years old until she was 12 years old.
She said she didn't report her molestation because it would separate her family.
Pacioni said both victims told the court they never reported Nunez because they were embarrassed by their abuse and loved Nunez.
John Doe and Jane Doe testified in court about their repeated molestation throughout their childhood.
An expert in the psychological effects of child sexual abuse also testified and said that delayed disclosure of molestation is common due to factors such as power imbalances between the perpetrator and victim, threats to not say anything, fear and even affection for the perpetrator if they are a close family member, friend, or authority figure.
ORIGINAL STORY
A jury found Luis Cejas Nunez, 44, guilty of molesting two victims on 19 counts. All the counts are considered violent felonies and "strikes" under California's Three Strike law.
One victim said Nunez sexually abused him from when he was around 7 years old until he was 14 years old. The victim's sister, also reported that Nunez sexually assaulted her from when she was 5 years old until she was 12 years old. Both victims said they waited many years to report the crimes because they were embarrassed about what happened to them. They also said they loved Nunez.
An expert in the psychological effects of child sexual abuse testified that it's common for victims to not say anything for many years after the crime was committed because of several factors. Among them are power imbalance between the perpetrator and the victim, threats to not say anything, fear, and even affection for the perpetrator if they're a close family member, friend, or authority figure.
Nunez will be sentenced on Dec. 1 and will be facing up to 258 years to life in state prison and will be required to register as a sex offender for life.
