Molester, 64, Gets 15 Years in Prison for Decades-Old Crimes

A 64-year-old Alhambra man who admitted molesting several youths decades ago was confronted by some of his tearful victims Thursday before being sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Speaking in a trembling voice and fighting back tears, Scott Cochran looked at John Dark, who earlier this month pleaded guilty to 11 counts of lewd acts with a child under 14, and vented his anger.

“The world needs to know that you are truly a monster; the son of the devil,” Cochran, 45, one of seven victims named in the case, said in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Raymond Bilodeau Sr., 47, another victim, broke down as he tried to read a statement. “You perfected your evil so well,” Bilodeau said. “I can’t imagine the damage you’ve caused in our society.”

Dark showed no emotion, staring straight ahead. He did not speak.

Judge Michael E. Pastor sentenced Dark to 15 years in prison, three years for each of five counts. Pastor granted a stay on the remaining six counts as part of a plea deal.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Susan Freeman said Dark began molesting children about 30 years ago.

Outside the courtroom Thursday, Cochran said Dark used motorcycles to gain his trust. While walking home from junior high school in Saugus, Cochran met Dark and began talking about racing motorcycles, he said.

Cochran said he often visited Dark’s home because he and his family became friendly. Cochran said that one day after he went swimming at Dark’s home, Dark molested him, and the abuse continued for several years. The few adults he tried to tell did not believe him, he said.

Bilodeau said Thursday that he knew Dark from youth activities and that the two started playing chess at Bilodeau’s home when he was 13. They began playing the game at Dark’s house after Bilodeau’s family became more comfortable with him, the victim said.

After only a couple of visits to Dark’s home in North Hollywood, Bilodeau said, Dark raped him. The molestation occurred repeatedly, he said. Bilodeau said he was intimidated by Dark and did not know whom to turn to.

Bilodeau said he had a nervous breakdown in 1997 and, after undergoing therapy, set out to bring Dark to justice.

Bilodeau learned of a state law that allows prosecutors to file charges in old abuse cases for up to one year after victims finally report complaints to police, Freeman said.

Dark was arrested May 3, 2000.

His public defender, M. Leslie Stearns, said her client faced up to life in prison. Generally, defendants cannot appeal after a guilty plea, but she filed a motion that may let her appeal because the charges came so many years after the abuse.

Bilodeau said he felt a “huge sense of relief” now that Dark has been convicted and sentenced.

Cochran was not quite satisfied.

“I don’t think 15 years will do any of us any justice,” he said. “I’ve suffered more than 15 years.”