Man Faces Life Term for Sex With Minor

A registered sex offender who knew he was infected with the AIDS virus faces life in prison for having sex with a 15-year-old boy from Port Hueneme.

Sean Alexander De France, 40, of Santa Barbara pleaded guilty last month in Ventura County Superior Court to six counts of sodomy, oral copulation and committing lewd acts upon a child under the age of 16.

Each count carries a special allegation because De France committed the crimes knowing he was infected with HIV.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Edward Ulloa would not comment on whether the teenager was infected with the virus as well. But if he were, Ulloa said, an attempted murder charge probably would have been filed.

Court records indicate that De France wore a condom when he had sex with the boy.

Under the “three strikes” law, De France faces 165 years to life in prison, Ulloa said. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 25.

In 1983 De France was convicted of multiple counts of child molestation in Santa Barbara County for having sex with a 14-year-old boy.

In the recent case, De France and the victim met six times during September and October of last year at the Motel 6 on Johnson Drive in Ventura.

When police obtained a warrant to search De France’s home in Santa Barbara, Ulloa said, they came upon his HIV test results. De France also admitted he has the virus.

Ulloa said De France’s attorney indicated his client pleaded guilty so the boy would not have to go through a trial.

“The De France case is a tragic case,” Ulloa said. “The victim in the case is truly a victim. I think it is important for us all to be aware not only of the crimes, but the effect the process has on the victim. He worried about issues for some time.”