Countywide : Man Found Guilty of Child Molestation
A San Juan Capistrano man was found guilty Wednesday of kidnapping and four counts of child molestation involving a 7-year-old girl.
Jesus Reyes Mercado, 25, faces a possible life sentence for the July 1995 sexual assault of a girl near horse stables in the 31000 block of Avenida de la Vista, according to Orange County sheriff’s officials.
Mercado was arrested after a group of residents heard the girl’s screams and ran to her aid, detaining Mercado until police arrived, authorities said. Mercado is scheduled to be sentenced April 12.
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