Child Molester Gets 31 Years

A 26-year-old man will spend more than three decades in state prison after he pleaded guilty to molesting two girls under the age of 11 years old. Hugo Mendoza — charged with four felony strike offenses — was sentenced this week to 31 years behind bars. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, abstain from contacting the children and their families for 10 years, and pay for the victims’ therapy sessions.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, both girls’ parents attended Mendoza’s sentencing on Monday and made statements. Prosecutor Paula Waldman said the girls, their parents, and the Sheriff’s Department are satisfied with the outcome of the case. “With this resolution,” Waldman said, “we keep a child molester out of the public and away from children for the next 31 years without the necessity of a trial.”