Simi Valley Child Molester to Serve 45 Years to Life

A Simi Valley grandfather was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison Friday after admitting he molested two young girls in his suburban neighborhood.

John Berry, a 64-year-old retired construction worker, apologized and tearfully asked for leniency during a sentencing hearing in Ventura County Superior Court. But Judge Herbert Curtis told Berry his request for probation was “out of the question.”

Describing the defendant as a dangerous molester who preyed upon little girls, Curtis said Berry has shown little remorse for his crimes and left two children, ages 10 and 12, with emotional scars that may never heal.

“I don’t think there is anything more low-down and egregious,” the judge said before sentencing Berry to three consecutive 15-years-to-life prison terms.

Berry had recently pleaded guilty to three of six criminal counts involving lewd acts on children. He was charged with molesting a third girl, age 12, but the charges were dropped as part of a plea agreement.

The sentence ended what authorities have described as a disturbing molestation case.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Ernesto Acosta said Berry was first arrested in 1965 on felony charges for allegedly forcing sex with a 13-year-old baby-sitter. But court records show the case was never brought to trial.

More than 30 years later, Berry was arrested on suspicion of fondling three elementary school girls between 1997 and 2000. The victims all lived in his neighborhood.

Berry denied the allegations until just before trial, when prosecutors obtained copies of medical records that showed he had confided to his doctor that he molested two girls.

At Friday’s sentencing hearing, Acosta played a tape recording of a “cool call” (a call monitored by police) placed last year by one of the girls in which Berry admits molesting her. During the call, the girl asked Berry whether he remembered placing his hand down her pants.

“Why did you do that?” the girl asked.

“I don’t know, that was a mistake on my part,” Berry replied, according to the recording. “It’s done and over with.”

But Acosta said it is not over for the victims.

He read two letters, one from the first victim and another from her mother, which describe feelings of stress, guilt, betrayal and emotional pain.

“I’ve gone through hell,” the girl wrote of her abuser. “And he should too.”

During the hearing, Berry, dressed in a blue jail uniform, stood and apologized. He said he went to his doctor because he needed help. He told the judge that if he were released, he and his wife, Beverly, would move to Arizona.

Defense attorney Alan Negron asked for probation or a minimal prison sentence for his client. He said Berry tried to seek psychiatric treatment but didn’t get it in time. He added that Berry is old, sick and remorseful.

But the judge questioned whether Berry was truly sorry for what he did. Curtis cited a letter Berry sent to the court before his sentencing in which he likened his conduct to a diabetic who had been tempted by “candy.”

After the sentence was imposed, Berry stood and looked at his wife, seated in the courtroom, and then turned to the victims’ families.

“I’m sorry,” he said, “so sorry.”

Berry must serve 45 years before he is eligible for parole. He would be 109 years old before his possible release.