Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 07/14/04

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Chief Deputy Larry Scoufos Deputy District Attorney: Craig Brooks

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

INTERNET PREDATOR RECEIVES 9 YEAR PRISON SENTENCE

Superior Court Judge Cerena Wong sentenced Alfonso Ozaeta to state prison for the maximum term of nine years. He previously entered guilty pleas to 10 counts of sexually exploiting a child. At the time of the offenses, the child was 14 and 15 years old. She met Ozaeta on the INTERNET. Prior to his arrest, Mr. Ozaeta, who was 26 years old , worked as a certified micro-soft network specialist earning over $80,000 per year in the Silicon Valley.

He used the INTERNET to send the young girl pictures, written stories, and video clips of child pornography. The victim was initially convinced by the defendant to lie to the police and deny that there had been any sexual activity between the two. The police also located two out of state minor victims who were also exploited by Ozaeta by means of the INTERNET. When the Sonoma County victim was confronted with the reality of the defendant’s actions and intentions, she admitted she was a victim of the crimes he had committed.

"Our office is committed to protecting our children from INTERNET predators. This sentence sends a strong message that this type of behavior is a serious crime," said District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua.

Ozaeta has also been charged in Federal Court with the sexual exploitation of the two out of state minors. Detectives from Santa Rosa located the child pornography after obtaining a search warrant and reviewing the defendant’s computers. The evidence was turned over to both the District Attorney and the Attorney General. Deputy District Attorney Craig Brooks handled this matter for the District Attorney’s Office.