Judge: Castroville man sentenced for “sadistic sexual, physical and psychological abuse” against wife, children

CASTROVILLE, Calif. (KION) A Castroville man has been sentenced to 60 years to life in prison in what a Monterey County judge said was "one of the most disturbing cases he has been involved with."

In January, 38-year-old Adalberto Coronado was convicted of four counts of child abuse and four counts of sexual abuse against his children as well as one count of domestic violence against his estranged wife.

During the trial, evidence showed that Coronado abused his children and estranged wife between January 2016 and September 2017 in a variety of ways while the family lived together in a mobile home in Castroville.

Two of Coronado's biological children, a step-daughter and his estranged wife testified during the trial. The Monterey County District Attorney's Office said the children went into detail about how Coronado beat them every day with items such as tools, hangers, belts and broomsticks. He also sexually assaulted two of his daughters.

Coronado's estranged wife said he kicked her, punched her and dragged her across the living room floor. She said when she called out for help, he poured cold water on her and told her to calm down.

After a domestic violence incident in August 2017, Coronado's estranged wife took the children to the nearest car rental center to leave the state. When they got to their destination, they reported the abuse to law enforcement, who gave the case to the Monterey County Sheriff's Office.

During the sentencing, the judge presiding over the hearing said it was "one of the most disturbing cases he has been involved with. He said the evidence clearly showed that Coronado was in a "yearlong war against his children and wife involving sadistic sexual, physical and psychological abuse."

“While some people believe that California sentencing laws are too strict for these types of crimes, in this case, the sentence is very appropriate," said Judge Liu.