JURY CONVICTS SALINAS MAN OF CHILD MOLESTATION AND INDECENT EXPOSURE

Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced today that on September 14, 2026, Sonny Velasco, age 33, and a Salinas resident, was found guilty by a Monterey County jury of one count of lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14 years, one count of assault with the intent to commit a lewd or lascivious act upon a child under 14, one count of indecent exposure during an unlawful entry of an inhabited dwelling, and one count of resisting a peace officer. Two of the charges are violent felonies and are considered "strikes" under California's Three Strikes law.

Jane Doe, 7 years old, was at a family birthday party when Velasco, a stranger, entered the residence. She was alone on the couch when he exposed his penis to her and asked her to perform sexual acts on him. Jane Doe refused and Velasco grabbed her by the wrist. Jane Doe was able to break free from Velasco's grip and ran to tell her mother what had happened. Velasco was captured on the family's surveillance cameras entering and exiting the residence. Once he was apprehended, he threatened a Salinas police officer.

Velasco will be sentenced by Judge Mark E. Hood on October 27, 2026. He faces a maximum punishment of 9 years and 8 months in prison. At sentencing, Velasco will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

This case was investigated by Detective Jared Dominici and other officers from the Salinas Police Department. District Attorney Investigator Alicia Cox also assisted in the investigation. Jane Doe was assisted by District Attorney Victim Advocates Mayra Sandoval and Kristin Peterson. District Attorney Court Facility Support Dog, Armani, provided Jane Doe with much needed support during her testimony at trial.