A Kern County jury convicted a man of various sexual molestation crimes in a case in which he wrote an apology letter to the victim, the Kern County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.
Pedro Castro was convicted Tuesday of the abuse of a victim that lasted about five years. The victim reported the abuse in December, and Castro admitted to it, a DA’s news release said. A second victim testified at trial that she had also been assaulted.
Castro was convicted of having sexual intercourse with a child 10 years old or younger, continuous sexual abuse, lewd and lascivious acts upon a child, and another sex crime, according to the DA’s news release.
“Castro exploited his proximity to the minor, preying on the innocence of a child. My heart goes out to the victim, who despite having to relive the unimaginable trauma, found the courage to confront her abuser and speak her truth to ensure that justice was achieved,” DA Cynthia Zimmer said in a statement.
Castro faces 25 years to life in prison at his July 8 sentencing.