Ramona

A Ramona man, Ezra John Adams, was found guilty Monday of 86 counts of child molestation involving seven girls.

Adams, 43, had waived his right to a jury trial, so San Diego Superior Court Judge Louis Boyle decided the case. After deliberating about three hours after final arguments Monday, Boyle found Adams guilty of all counts remaining in the case. Ten other counts had been eliminated 10 days before, when the prosecution rested its case.

Boyle set sentencing for Dec. 18. Deputy Dist. Atty. Aaron Katz said Adams could be sentenced to a maximum of 330 years.

“I don’t think any sentence is strong enough to measure the psychological harm of these victims,” said Katz.

Adams hung his head during the lengthy reading of the verdicts and used his hands to shield his face. His attorney, Roy Gunner, later said he will appeal the verdict.

All the victims are “in counseling,” said Sheriff’s Detective Mary Stables, who arrested Adams on Nov. 15, 1988. “They were so frightened and so concerned about what would happen to them and their parents.”

The judge said the case was “one of the strongest child molestation cases” he has seen. He said the girls’ testimony corroborated each others’ and was consistent.

Adams spent 1 1/2 days on the stand last week, denying all allegations. Boyle called Adams’ testimony “not credible” and “self-serving.”

Adams remains in County Jail.