SIMI VALLEY : ‘3 Strikes’ Defendant Pleads Not Guilty

A three-time convicted robber facing trial as Ventura County’s first defendant under the new “three strikes” law pleaded not guilty Thursday to 10 felony counts of child molestation.

Superior Court Judge Charles W. Campbell Jr. set a July 11 trial for Henry Diaz, 40, of Simi Valley.

But Diaz’s lawyer said he will file motions asking that his client not be charged under the law because it violates his constitutional rights. Campbell said he will hear those arguments on June 24.

If convicted under the three strikes law, Diaz faces a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life in prison. The statute prescribes such a sentence for anyone with two prior serious or felony convictions who commits a third felony.

Members of the Simi Valley SWAT team and narcotics detectives raided Diaz’s home March 22 and found the suspect in bed with a 13-year-old girl. Diaz has admitted to having a sexual relationship with the girl, according to testimony.

The girl’s mother told authorities she was suspicious of her daughter’s relationship with Diaz, but that the girl denied sexual involvement with him. She has since told police that she did have a relationship with Diaz, according to court testimony.