Family Returns to Find Home Violated by Armed Squatter : Silver Star Recipient Sentenced to Prison

Aveteran who was awarded the Silver Star for bravery in Vietnam was sentenced to state prison Thursday after a Ventura County Superior Court judge found him guilty of having sex with a minor and keeping illegal explosives in his home.

John Donald Ommondson Jr., 44, of Simi Valley was sentenced to two years and eight months for molesting his 16-year-old stepson and possessing 45 pounds of explosives, which he said were mementos of his 20 years in the Marine Corps, Deputy Dist. Atty. Greg Totten said.

Ommondson received two years for one count of oral copulation with a minor and eight months for two counts of possessing illegal explosives. He also was sentenced to two consecutive years for two other counts of oral copulation but will get credit for the 222 days he has already served in Ventura County Jail, Totten said. Ommondson could be paroled in 13 months.

In August, while searching Ommondson’s home for evidence to corroborate a molestation complaint by his stepson, Simi Valley police found a C-4 plastic explosive, detonator cords, two land mines and equipment to build booby traps.

During his two decades in the service, Ommondson was also awarded four Purple Hearts and several other commendations, Detective Gordon Weeks said.