Monterey man pleads guilty to engaging in sexual acts with a minor, among other charges

A 29-year-old Monterey resident pleaded guilty to eight charges, including engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor.

Sean Sanders pled guilty to every charge alleged in the complaint: engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor more than three years younger than the defendant, oral copulation of a minor under 18 years of age, digital penetration of a minor under 18 years of age, providing marijuana to a minor over the age of 14, two counts of sending harmful matter to a minor, and two counts of possessing child pornography.

In late 2017, Jane Doe, who was 17-years-old at the time, met Sanders at the gym. Sanders was 28- years-old at the time, but he lied and told Jane Doe that he was 22-years-old. Sanders knew that Jane Doe was 17-years-old and was a high school student. Although Jane Doe told Sanders that she was uncomfortable with their age difference, Sanders still pursued Doe romantically.

Eventually around March of 2018, Sanders and Jane Doe engaged in sexual intercourse, oral copulation, and digital penetration. Sanders also gave Jane Doe marijuana wax, which is highly concentrated THC. Detective Zook from the Monterey Police Department obtained a search warrant authorizing her to search Sanders’ cell phone. District Attorney Digital Forensic Investigator Dill conducted an extraction of Sanders’ iPhone which revealed that Sanders had two videos and ten photographs depicting child pornography. Additionally, the search revealed that Sanders was using the Kik social media application to communicate with numerous different individuals who identified themselves as being between 14 and 17 years of age. Sanders exchanged pornographic images with these individuals.

Sanders faces up to 9 years and eight months in prison. In addition, Sanders will be required to register as a sex offender for life.